Book Review: Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals
Art: Rowen White
By Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, and Enuma Okoro
In a world fragmented by individualism and fatigue, Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals offers something rare and luminous: a shared rhythm of life. More than a book of prayers, it is a living document, a doorway into an ancient stream of faith that is still vibrant, relevant, and—yes—radical.
What It Is
This is not your typical devotional. Common Prayer is a daily guide, structured like a breviary, rooted in the Christian liturgical calendar. Each day includes Scripture readings, prayers, reflections on saints and martyrs, and even space for communal song. But what sets it apart is the lens through which it was written—one of social justice, community activism, and an embodied love for the poor and marginalized.
At its heart, the book seeks to anchor spiritual practice in community and in public life. It doesn’t just call us to private piety but to a participatory spirituality—a way of praying that naturally overflows into doing.
Who the Authors Are
Shane Claiborne, known for The Irresistible Revolution and his work with The Simple Way community in Philadelphia, brings a prophetic energy to the work. His theology is shaped by a life lived among the poor and disinherited—where beatitudes are not metaphors, but lived reality.
Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove is a writer, speaker, and leader in the New Monasticism movement, grounded in hospitality, simplicity, and peacemaking. He brings a liturgical depth and an ecumenical spirit, helping to root the radical in the historic.
Enuma Okoro, a Nigerian-American theologian and writer, adds a lyrical and contemplative voice, helping to craft a liturgy that is both rooted in tradition and open to all kinds of seekers, across cultures and denominations.
Together, they have curated a spiritual tool that reflects the global Body of Christ—not just in theology, but in language, cadence, and perspective.
Why It Matters
In an era where many are deconstructing faith and reimagining spiritual practice, Common Prayer is both anchor and compass. It doesn’t sugarcoat the dark parts of church history or contemporary injustice. Instead, it invites us to grieve, remember, and act in love. Its inclusion of liberation theology, references to martyrs of racial and economic justice, and a daily awareness of suffering in the world serve as a liturgical wake-up call.
But it also cultivates hope—quietly, persistently, beautifully. The prayers are often poetic, the historical reflections sobering, and the rhythms restorative. There’s something deeply human about it: a reminder that we do not suffer or rejoice alone, that others have knelt and wept and sung before us.
This isn’t liturgy confined to stained glass and pews. This is liturgy of the streets, of the shelters, of the soil. It’s prayer that prepares hands for protest, hearts for healing, and communities for peacemaking.
Who It’s For
This book is for people burned by institutional religion, but still hungry for God. For activists who don’t want to lose their soul to burnout. For contemplatives who want their prayer to ripple outward into the world. For churches looking to reconnect with ancient roots while remaining grounded in the present. And for anyone longing for a way to belong—not just to a cause, but to a sacred rhythm of hope.
It’s also ideal for small groups or intentional communities. The readings and prayers are structured to be read aloud and shared, creating space for communal transformation—especially for those who feel spiritually homeless.
Final Reflections
At IdealHive, where personal growth, collective awakening, and meaningful action converge, Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals feels like a kindred spirit. It reminds us that spirituality need not be a solo pursuit—it can be a shared language, a poetic resistance, a radical hospitality.
To pray through this book is to join a chorus that spans centuries and continents. It is to become aware not just of God, but of the world—and of our place in healing it.
Highly recommended.
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