* Hopeful and uplifting in tone * Understands prayer as something which is actively 'lived' rather than as something 'set apart'

* Praise for Steel Angels (SPCK, 2014): An excellent contribution to the discernment canon . . . [Smith's] beautifully written book offers many delights. Her capacity for taking the mundane and finding an illuminating illustration from scripture, literature, the visual arts of popular culture ensures that there is no dryness of approach. * Church Times *
I warmly recommend this book for those who want to deepen their prayer life and think more widely about the call to be a fragile mystic given to all Christians. It would be helpful for preachers, individuals and facilitators of prayer and discussion groups. -- Judith Lampard * Methodist Recorder *
As well as helping individual readers refresh their own prayer life, this book could be useful in ministry, especially for those engaged in spiritual direction, or leading home groups or prayer groups. There is much to discover and reflect on here that might offer new ideas and approaches for enriching your prayer ministry with others -- Sue Boorman * The Reader Autumn 2016 Vol. 116. No.1 *

The Revd Magdalen Smith is Diocesan Director of Ordinands and a priest in the Diocese of Chester. She has a background in the visual arts and is interested in the dialogue between faith and contemporary culture. She is a retreat leader, spiritual director, and the author of Steel Angels: The personal qualities of a priest