Everything Starts from Prayer

"Mother Teresa was one of the great spiritual servants of our era, whose simple wisdom expressed untold depths of devotion. In this treasury of her thoughts on prayer, she offers the world another blessing." -President Jimmy Carter, author of Living Faith

“Using this book on prayer, please remember that Saint Teresa always prayed with her actions, her life. Mind, speech, and body in perfect oneness, that is the solid ground of authentic meditation. The moment you start praying that way, peace, love, and transformation begin to take place, within yourself and around you. You do not have to wait for the result in the future. Saint Teresa says: “the fruit of prayer is faith, love, service, and peace. All of these take place in the present moment.” Enjoy praying with her.” —Thich Nhat Hanh, author of Living Buddha, Living Christ

“Mother Teresa's life was a living prayer. Her words remind us of her connection with God and how all of us can reach Him as she did.” —Marianne Williamson, author of Illuminated Prayers

“With the publication of Everything Starts from Prayer, Mother Teresa continues to bless us from beyond the grave. These kernels of truth from the nun in Calcutta provide food for the soul. Her messages, though short on words, are deep in wisdom and spiritual insight, and hold meaning for people of all faiths.” —Most Reverend Anthony M. Pilla, Bishop of Cleveland, Past President, National Conference of Catholic Bishops

“Dr. Stern’s editorial hand is sure and judicious; the selection of material reveals the mystical realization behind Mother Teresa’s powerful encomium to prayer in an all-inclusive sense. Thus, the passages are not only spiritually inspiring (as one would, of course, expect), but intellectually compelling as well. Well done.” —Lou Nordstrom, American Zen Teacher, White Plum lineage

“Dr. Stern deserves to be congratulated for Everything Starts from Prayer, an inspiring book intended to foster the spiritual life of people of all faiths or none. We hope and pray that many readers will find it an invitation to pray.” —Father Edward Le Joly, Mother Teresa’s spiritual advisor

“Dr. Stern has very sensitively and carefully given us the essence of a truly spiritual person, and in the process helped make prayer in our own lives more rewarding.” —Rabbi Jack Bemporad, Director, The Center for Interreligious Understanding at Ramapo College

“Mother Teresa is a holy mother to us all. She always has been an inspiration and reminder to me of what love can do in the world. She is the epitome of a Bodhisattva, the altruistic enlightenment-activist serving those suffering in this world.” —Lama Surya Das, Tibetan Buddhist master and author of Awakening the Buddha Within

“How do we start praying? Anthony Stern gives us a great gift. In this magnificent collection of Mother Teresa’s words, we are shown how to cultivate our inner lives and bring forth the prayers that live within us.” —Prof. Susannah He