Still Learning: Fr. James Martin, SJ

In his recent book, Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone, Fr. James Martin, SJ, invites readers to a lifelong journey in growing closer to God. In this frank and wide-ranging conversation, Fr. Martin talks about some of the difficulties and strategies of prayer, and how even he feels like he is 'still learning' to do prayer well.

In The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, Father James Martin included a chapter on communicating with God. Now, he expands those thoughts in this profound and practical handbook. Learning to Pray explains what prayer is, what to expect from praying, how to do it, and how it can transform us when we make it a regular practice in our lives.

We speak with Fr. Martin about the times when we are called to pray “just as we are,” and how to begin prayer even when others have declared you to be unwelcome. Through it all, Fr. Martin’s message is the same: God loves you, and wants to be in a relationship with you, no matter where you are right now.

Longtime listeners will also remember we had Fr. Martin on the show before to talk before about The Seven Last Words, and we are delighted to have him join us again for the timely and important conversation.

Rev. James Martin, SJ, is a Jesuit priest, editor at large of America magazine, consultor to the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication, and author of numerous books, including the New York Times bestsellers Jesus: A Pilgrimage, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything and My Life with the Saints, which Publishers Weekly named one of the best books of 2006. Father Martin is a frequent commentator in the national and international media, having appeared on all the major networks, and in such diverse outlets as The Colbert Report, NPR's Fresh Air, the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Before entering the Jesuits in 1988 he graduated from the Wharton School of Business.