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The project. I am thankful for everyone from the Council for World Mission, each local community that received us and spent time with me, and every person who agreed to come to be part of this project. I must thank Maria Peachy Labayo who prepared the way and worked to provide the structure for us all to do this work. My special gratitude goes to Sudipta Singh who, on behalf of the Council for World Mission, made this dream work possible. Mr. Singh found people to talk to local communities, offered generous assistance to those who had difficulties traveling, helped us when we had troubles, and was always there with us. I am grateful for his compassionate heart, his visionary mind, his constant support of this project, and his heart, so close to the poor. I am also grateful to president Serene Jones and the board of Union Theological Seminary in New York for giving me a full-year sabbatical so I could do this work.

The participants. Everyone who participated gave their time, love, and wisdom to this work. To each one, I am immensely grateful. This introductory material might not reflect all of the thoughts and perceptions of the participants, since I am not able to reflect fully their experiences here. Surely, they would offer very different reflections and would have many criticisms as well. Nonetheless, I am grateful to all of them. Without them, this work would not have come into fruition.

The production of this book. I must name a few of the many who made this book possible: Adam Vander Tuig, my precious PhD candidate at Union Theological Seminary, for his labor typing almost every prayer of this book and offering excellent comments and suggestions; and pastor Katie Mulligan, who is a brilliant scholar and a fantastic editor. When I couldn’t see the forest for the trees, she came along and helped organize the entire material, giving it shape and focus. She edited everything, and her work of wisdom, patience, and love empowered this work immensely. I also thank Professor Mayra Picos Lee, who first read everything and gave me fundamental comments and kept my spirit going, and pastor Rachel Srubas, whose close reading of this introduction was amazing. Paul Galbreath, Chris Elwood, Gregory Cuellar, Janet Walton, Yohana Junker, Nancy Cardoso, and Ivone Gebara read drafts of this book and helped me think and write better. Emily Everett has a gift with many languages and provided wonderful translations of several prayers. And finally, my thanks go to Connie Stella, the editor at Abingdon Press. Without her diligent work, patience, wisdom, editorial abilities, pastoral care, and brilliant vision, this book would never be ready. To you all, my deepest gratitude.

My family. For my precious family: Katie, Libby, Cici, and Ike, who loved me and supported me even when I was away to do this work. They were patient with me, and would keep me company when I was anxious or afraid. Katie was my daily companion. She listened to me deeply, and I would not have been able to process so many aspects of this project during this time if it was not for her deep listening. Her caring and loving presence was God’s breath in my life. And I offer gratitude to my kids, the most beautiful prayers I have in my life, and with whom I continue to learn to pray.

And finally, for my mother, Esther Carvalhaes, who taught me how to pray.

Shall we pray?