Prayers for Healing by Maggie Oman Shannon Summary

Prayers for Healing offers 365 daily interfaith blessings, poems, and meditations drawn from global spiritual traditions, philosophers, and modern thinkers like Rumi, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Martin Luther King Jr. Organized seasonally, it provides reflective tools for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing, emphasizing hope and inner transformation through prayer. The book includes contributions from the Dalai Lama and physician Larry Dossey.

This book suits seekers of interfaith wisdom, caregivers, and anyone navigating illness, grief, or spiritual growth. Its accessible format appeals to daily meditation practitioners and those exploring diverse traditions—from Biblical and Quranic passages to Native American texts and modern poets like Wendell Berry.

Yes—readers praise its inclusive approach and practical structure for daily inspiration. Reviewers highlight its ability to provide comfort during crises, with one noting it “reinvigorates spiritual journeys” through culturally rich perspectives. Critics might find its breadth overwhelming, but its seasonal organization aids focus.

The book divides prayers into four seasonal sections (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall), each offering 90+ daily entries. Each page pairs a concise prayer or meditation with attribution to its source, such as Taoist scriptures or Marianne Williamson. A foreword by Larry Dossey and introduction by the Dalai Lama frame its healing philosophy.

Maggie Oman Shannon curates texts from Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Taoism, and Indigenous traditions. Notable sources include the Torah, Rumi’s poetry, the Tao Te Ching, and Native American prayers, alongside contemporary voices like Jack Kornfield and Marian Wright Edelman.

Rev. Maggie Oman Shannon is an ordained Unity minister, spiritual director, and author of nine books on spirituality and creativity. A Smith College graduate with an M.A. in Culture and Spirituality, she’s edited The Saturday Evening Post and directed marketing for the Institute of Noetic Sciences. Her work bridges interfaith practices and contemplative arts.

Unlike single-tradition guides, this anthology emphasizes cross-cultural unity, pairing Maya Angelou’s poetry with Quranic verses. Its daily format and seasonal rhythm distinguish it from topical devotionals, while contributions from medical and spiritual leaders add credibility to its healing focus.

Yes—its non-denominational approach makes it suitable for interfaith groups, retreats, or support circles. The concise entries serve as discussion starters, and the seasonal themes align with community rituals or solstice celebrations.

The Dalai Lama’s introduction stresses compassion’s role in healing, while Larry Dossey’s foreword bridges prayer and medical science. Their contributions anchor the book’s ethos, blending spiritual and empirical perspectives on wellness.

While not a step-by-step guide, recurring themes include:

• Sacred pauses: Brief daily reflections to reset mindfulness
• Nature alignment: Seasonal entries syncing with ecological cycles
• Gratitude rituals: Poems emphasizing thankfulness as healing

The book’s meditations on resilience (e.g., Rilke’s “dark moments” poem) and Wendell Berry’s Earth-centered wisdom offer analogies for coping with anxiety and burnout. Its interfaith approach avoids dogma, making it adaptable to secular therapy contexts.

Some readers desire deeper commentary on entries or more progressive interpretations of traditional texts. However, most appreciate its curation as a “starting point” for personal exploration rather than an analytical work.