CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Part One: WHY AND HOW WE PRAY

Chapter 1: The Role of Prayer—Yesterday and Today

Chapter 2: Prayer Structure

Chapter 3: Praying with Words

Chapter 4: Praying without Words

Part Two: RITUAL PRAYERS

Chapter 5: Preparing for Prayer

Chapter 6: Purification

Chapter 7: Beginnings

Chapter 8: Sacred Space

Chapter 9: The Home

Chapter 10: Callings

Chapter 11: Praise

Chapter 12: Litanies and Mantras

Chapter 13: Thanksgivings and Graces

Chapter 14: Consecrations and Blessings

Chapter 15: Times of the Day

Chapter 16: Times of the Moon

Chapter 17: Times of the Year

Chapter 18: Times of Life

Chapter 19: Endings

Chapter 20: Farewells

Chapter 21: Dissolving the Space

Part Three: PETITIONARY PRAYERS

Chapter 22: Petitioning through Prayer

Chapter 23: General Requests and Offerings

Chapter 24: Abundance

Chapter 25: Mind and Soul

Chapter 26: Well-Being

Chapter 27: Civic Prayers

Chapter 28: Miscellaneous Petitions

Appendix 1: Offerings

Appendix 2: Glossary of Deities

Annotated Bibliography