The human story behind the writing of this book is remarkable.

The 2006 Mowbray Lent Book is an original and refreshing new concept of a well worn category of publication.

Towards the end of his distinguished academic career, Richard Griffiths fulfilled a longstanding aspiration by being ordained into the Anglican Church. He is currently serving in the Church in Wales, and this is his first religious book - his first book on a specifically religious theme, but not his first book for a wide popular audience. Since ordination, Griffiths has been in demand as a preacher and speaker to Christian audiences, and this Lent book emerges from that demand. Each of the sections in this book, for use in the Lenten season, focusses on a poem or part of a poem. Using his skills as a literary critic, Griffiths turns his attention in deeply meditative fashion to the study of Christian poetry as a means of raising the heart, mind and soul to God. In this process, we recognise an author of deep intelligence and Christian belief.

Starting with an examination of various forms of prayer, Griffiths then looks at the poetic imagination as a way into private prayer. The author is profoundly aware of the capacity of the soul not just for joy but also for doubt and questioning. The writers to whom we are introduced come from all periods from the 16th century to the present, and include not only well-known authors such as Henry Vaughan, R.S. Thomas and T.S. Eliot, but also some who may be less familiar - Thomas Traherne, Alice Meynell, Francis Thompson, David Gascoyne.