Praying by the Rules

Henna Cundill's richly written book carefully and appropriately dismantles our assumptions about autism and faith. She reassembles them with ideas such as shame as critical tools to help autistic and non-autistic people understand what flourishing in prayer might look like for the church. There are fascinating connections between prayer, rhythms and daily habits that teach autistic people how to move faithfully to their own rhythm. 'Groundbreaking' is an overused term, but this book might be suitably called this. Cundill draws into the light the church's assumptions about prayer challenging normative and semi-conscious ideas and showing the alternative ways of being in the presence of God. Autistic people can turn to this research to understand more about themselves and to begin the process of dismantling any beliefs they have about being 'not good enough' Christians.

Claire Williams, Lecturer in Practical Theology, Regents Theological College,

When faith practices are approached through the lens of autism, their underlying theologies may need to change, as well as the practices themselves. In Praying by the Rules, Helena Cundill takes one of the core faith practices - prayer - and searches for answers why prayer is often not a solution but a source of anxiety for autistic people. Rooted in the lived experiences of her autistic research participants and rigorously researched, Cundill offers a salutary and liberating critique of prayer. This profound discussion will not only benefit autistic people but every person of prayer - including those who have long given up on prayer because of the anxiety or shame or feelings of 'praying not good enough' that prayer has caused them.

Armand L©on van Ommen, Senior Lecturer in Practical Theology and Co-Director of the Centre for Autism and Theology at the University of Aberdeen,

Praying by the Rules is a remarkable blend of participatory research and critically-nuanced theology. Sensitive to her own positionality, Cundill is careful to represent autistic voices faithfully (in every sense of the word). The result is an important study of prayer and spirituality that should be read by any who believe that autistic people truly belong within the church.

Grant Macaskill, Lightfoot Professor of Divinity in the Department of Theology and Religion, Durham University,