Book Review: Seeds of Fatih: Practices to Grow a Healthy Spiritual Life by Jeremy Langford

Jeremy Langford’s short book Seeds of Faith: Practices to Grow a Healthy Spiritual Life utilizes an extended metaphor of gardening to relay the intricate details of practicing spirituality. As the sower plants the seeds, nurtures their growth, and harvests the fruit, so too does the spiritual pilgrim sow, foster, and reap a positive spiritual life.

Prayer and spirituality are often relayed as being basic fundamentals to religious practices. Yet, most people I come in contact with are uncomfortable with prayer, unsure of their ability to pray “correctly.” Perhaps it is a situation of knowing the logistics of prayer, but not feeling the relational aspects of prayer. Langford writes:

Most of us are familiar with various types of prayer – petition,     intercession, thanksgiving, repentance, adoration, and praise. No matter what the type, true prayer is not about reciting formulaic words; it’s about expressing what’s in our hearts. Many of us are afraid to pray because we feel we’re unworthy or don’t have the right words. Others of us aren’t sure God is really listening, or we don’t trust that God will do anything even if God is listening. Some of us are afraid that God might actually be listening and will respond in ways that might surprise us or make demands on us (77).

Langford’s work is a reminder that one of the most important attributes to a spiritual life is practice. There is peace in accepting that spirituality is a journey that is unfolding moment by moment.

Jeremy Langford peppers his piece with quotations and wisdom from various authors and spiritual guides. This stylistic choice reminds the reader that though we each embark on our own individual spiritual journeys, we travel further when we travel with companions. Spirituality is both a personal and a communal process. We grow more fully when we welcome the wisdom of others.

Each short chapter concludes with questions to consider, spiritual suggestions and connections amongst the various aspects of our lives. Langford suggests that you read the book first in its entirety to get a holistic understanding of his meaning behind his concept of a spiritual life. Then, take the chapters apart, considering the themes that are currently pertinent to your own life. He includes chapters on doubt and solitude, as well as vocation and community. In this way, the book acts as a mini retreat offering multiple reflections pertaining to many different life experiences.

Amongst the multitude of daily tasks, projects, and relationships, why take time away from the few moments left for yourself by adding one more process- that of developing a spiritual life more deeply? Prayer, like a seed, seems basic, understood for what it is and what it does, why study or contemplate it further? Langford reminds us that just as the seed grows to create beauty and richness that is unforeseen, so too can our spiritual life if we are willing to care for it. The majesty and the mystery of life can be represented by the growth of a plant from a seed. This wonder and beauty is mirrored in our own spiritual journeys.

Katie Ainge

(Katie Ainge is a graduate from Marquette University in Wisconson and works in Family Ministry at Old St. Patricks, Chicago. She is a Bernardin Scholar at CTU.)