Prayer and Dreams

The work explores the nature of prayer and its significance in human experience, categorizing it into three types: public, domestic, and solitary. Each type serves distinct purposes and possesses unique characteristics. The author expresses concern over the decline in the quality of devotional literature, particularly in prayer books, suggesting that a directory for domestic and solitary prayers could enhance spiritual practice, though he doubts its effectiveness due to existing inadequacies. The text critiques the lack of emphasis on congregational singing within church services, arguing that this aspect of worship is crucial for communal emotional expression. The author laments that congregational singing often lacks the depth and relevance necessary for true Christian thanksgiving, contrasting it with the practices of other traditions, such as the Methodists and Lutherans, who have successfully integrated hymns into their worship. The author reflects on the transformative power of prayer, asserting that it represents the highest potential of the human heart when performed with full concentration and sincerity. He distinguishes between mere recitation and genuine prayer, emphasizing the latter's importance in the Christian faith. The text also touches on the challenges of forgiveness and the complexity of faith, suggesting that true prayer requires a deep, heartfelt connection with God. In discussing dreams, the author notes that even in dreams, every thought or image has a preceding cause, indicating a connection between the conscious and subconscious mind. This observation leads to a broader contemplation of the interplay between human experience, spirituality, and the divine. Overall, the work serves as a meditation on the importance of prayer, the role of music in worship, and the relationship between dreams and reality, advocating for a more profound engagement with spiritual practices.

By Samuel Taylor Coleridge · First published 1832 · Genre: Philosophical Essay, Religious Literature, Spiritual Reflection · 1,048 words

First lines

There are three sorts of prayer: -- 1. Public; 2. Domestic; 3. Solitary. Each has its peculiar uses and character. I think the church ought to publish and authorise a directory of forms for the latter two. Yet I fear the execution would be inadequate. There is a great decay of devotional unction in the numerous books of prayers put out now-a-days. I really think the hawker was very happy, who blundered New Form of Prayer into New _former_ Prayers.[1]

What this Textopian page supports

Prayer and Dreams is listed on Textopian as an essay by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, dated 1832 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Essay
• Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge
• Date: 1832 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Philosophical Essay, Religious Literature, Spiritual Reflection, Literary Criticism, Memoir
• Length: 1,048 words
• Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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• Work identity for Prayer and Dreams by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
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Similar titles

• A Way Of Escape by George William Russell
• The Dream by George William Russell
• A Poet Of Shadows by George William Russell
• The Great Breath by George William Russell
• Night by George William Russell
• Dusk by George William Russell

Genres

• Philosophical Essay — The work explores deep themes of prayer, spirituality, and the human condition, characteristic of philosophical essays.
• Religious Literature — The text discusses various forms of prayer and their significance within a religious context.
• Spiritual Reflection — The content reflects on personal spirituality and the nature of prayer, aligning with spiritual reflection.
• Literary Criticism — The analysis of prayer and its role in worship can be seen as a critique of contemporary religious practices.

Tags

spirituality · dreams · prayer · philosophy · imagination · nature · romanticism · mysticism · reflection · consciousness · symbolism · meditation

More by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

• Expostulation and Reply (1817)
• The Tables Turned (1798)
• Animal Tranquillity and Decay (1816)
• Goody Blake and Harry Gill (1798)
• The Last of the Flock (1815)
• Lines Left Upon a Seat in a Yew-Tree, which Stands Near the Lake of Estwaithe, on a Desolate Part of the Shore, Yet Commanding a Beautiful Prospect (1818)
• The Foster-Mother's Tale (1815)
• The Thorn (1798)
• All works by Samuel Taylor Coleridge