Birth: A Guide for Prayer offers 36 meditations that will help readers to know, love, and follow Jesus more closely in their daily lives. The meditations invite contemplation on the earthly life of Jesus, from his incarnation through his public ministry. Based on the second week of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, the book incorporates key exercises such as Ignatius' "Two Standards" and "Three Kinds of Persons." Each meditation features a Scripture passage, a short commentary, and a suggested approach to prayer for that day. This is the third book in a series entitled Take and Receive. Each of these titles offers support and direction for private prayer and can also be used in prayer groups, faith-sharing groups, and Bible studies. The authors, Jacqueline Syrup Bergan and Marie Schwan, CJS, have extensive backgrounds leading retreats, parish days of renewal and prayer, and spirituality workshops.