Contemplative Prayer for Christians with Chronic Worry

Joshua J. Knabb, PsyD, ABPP, is interim codirector of the master’s program in counseling psychology and associate professor of psychology in the School of Behavioral Sciences at California Baptist University.Thomas V. Frederick, PhD, is chair of the behavioral sciences department, director of the master’s program in counseling psychology, and associate professor of psychology in the Division of Online and Professional Studies at California Baptist University.

"Contemplative Prayer for Christians with Chronic Worry shows us how psychology can meet the contemplative Christian tradition to help clients worry less. The theme—trust God in spite of anxieties—is captured by songwriter Horatio Spafford, ‘Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come/Let this blest assurance control/That Christ has regarded my helpless estate/And hath shed His own blood for my soul...It is well with my soul.’ A helpful resource."Everett L. Worthington, Jr., PhD, coeditor of Handbook of Humility (Routledge, 2016) and Commonwealth Professor of psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University"Knabb and Frederick provide a thoughtful and practical engagement with orthodox traditions of prayerfulness within Christianity as a psychologically responsible approach to the worries and concerns of life. Their bringing together of psychologically informed practices of mindfulness and the wisdom of Christian prayer is a gift for the Christian community."Keith G. Meador, MD, ThM, MPH, professor of psychiatry and health policy director at the Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society at Vanderbilt University"A wise and helpful book: psychologically astute, spiritually rich, and theologically sound. And very practical. Here is a book for those who wish to set out on the journey of healing and renewal. Worry cannot be wished away. But here we learn how, through the steady practice of contemplative prayer, it can be faced with courage, honesty and grace."Douglas E. Christie, PhD, professor of theological studies at Loyola Marymount University"Mindfulness is an effective approach for coping with anxiety, yet it can feel to some Christians like a practice that is alien to their religious heritage. In exploring how mindfulness has compatibilities with Christianity’s contemplative tradition, Knabb and Frederick do a great service for Christians who want to pull from a rich and spiritually resonant tradition for guidance in handling life’s worries."Jason A. Nieuwsma, PhD, associate professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University Medical Center

• Foreword Acknowledgements Introduction 1. The Relationship Between Uncertainty and Worry 2. An Introduction to Contemplative Practice 3. Ignatian Prayer 4. The Jesus Prayer 5. An Introduction to Centering Prayer 6. A Continuation of Centering Prayer 7. An Introduction to the Welcoming Prayer 8. Surrendering to Divine Providence in Daily Living Index