Sister Wendy on PrayerSister Wendy Beckett. Harmony, $21.95 (128p) ISBN 978-0-307-39381-4

Sister Wendy, the unlikely TV host whose reflections on art have made her an international star, is a Carmelite nun who spends "many hours a day in pure prayer," including solitary silence. So she knows her stuff when she says that there is no secret to prayer or magic formula that can be taught: readers must simply "stand before God unprotected," and they will know what to do. Of course, Sister Wendy offers some helpful discussion of various traditional prayers such as the Our Father and the Jesus prayer. Mingled with musings on great works of art (plus a biographical sketch of Sister Wendy by David Willcock), this all-too-brief guide is an elegant and eloquent rumination on Christian prayer. (Nov. 13)

The Ten-Second Prayer Principle: How to Pray Powerfully & Effectively in Today's Busy WorldMark Littleton. S&S/Howard, $13.99 paper (224p) ISBN 978-1-4165-4191-2

Though its title might inspire skepticism, promising that a viable spiritual life is yours for just 10 seconds a day, this book is far more helpful than it first appears. Confessing that he can't seem to pray in concentrated bursts for more than five or 10 minutes at a time, Littleton, a former pastor, teaches readers how to offer quick, specific prayers in the moment: when voices are raised at home, or when worry about money arises. Littleton tells readers that they can be at prayer when they're watching the evening news. They can pray for the other patients in the waiting room at the doctor's office. They can keep a prayer file where they record supplications and possible answers to prayer. Concrete and explicit, this concise guide goes a long way toward teaching readers how to pray unceasingly. (Nov. 6)

Sacred Attention: A Spiritual Practice for Finding God in the MomentMargaret D. McGee. SkyLight Paths, $19.99 (176p) ISBN 978-1-59473-232-4

Can playing the piano be a form of prayer? What about noticing seashells on the beach? Absolutely, argues McGee (Stumbling Toward God)—the key is simply paying attention. McGee draws upon scripture readings, personal experiences and entries in her nature diary to produce this quirky but perceptive guide to paying attention. As an Episcopalian, McGee writes from a Christian perspective, but many Buddhists will feel at home in her language of mindfulness and living in the moment. Prayers, suggested readings and questions for reflection close out the short chapters, which are roughly arranged according to the liturgical seasons. (Nov.)

God Said YesHeather Hornback-Bland and Ninie Hammon. Berkley Praise, $21.95 (352p) ISBN 978-0-425-21723-8

When Hornback-Bland was four years old, she fell out of a car her mother was driving and was run over. Doctors were sure she wouldn't survive, but more than 30 years and 187 surgeries later, she is still here—a mom and a motivational speaker. In this book she tells the full story of her devastating injuries (which still cause her intense pain, nausea and complications) and her road to Christian faith. She has endured more terrible trials since the accident, including abuse, seven-figure medical debt and the horror of losing a newborn. Readers will want to have tissues handy for this pain-filled but inspiring and hopeful memoir. (Oct. 2)

Thank You Power:
Making the Science of
Gratitude Work for You Deborah Norville.Thomas Nelson, $19.99 (176p) ISBN 978-0-7852-2193-7

Much of the advice in this self-help manual will be familiar to readers of the genre: express gratitude every day, both to God and to other people; recognize and be grateful for the little things in life; accentuate the positive and transform hardship into hope; stop focusing so much on yourself and reach out to others in pain. It's unoriginal but sound, and Inside Edition anchor Norville has a readable style, even if she does lapse too often into breathless-sounding italicized asides. (It's clear that Norville is more gifted as a speaker than a writer.) Easy-to-read text is broken up by pull quotes, bulleted lists and suggestions for action. One helpful element of this book is that Norville reports on popular science about how people with positive attitudes feel happier, have better relationships and live longer. (Oct. 2) n