Letters to the Clergy on the Lord's Prayer and the Church

"Letters to the Clergy on the Lord's Prayer and the Church" by John Ruskin is a series of letters from the 1800s where the author talks to church leaders about how they should understand the Lord's Prayer and act as members of the Church. In this book, Ruskin really wants church leaders to think carefully about what Christian teachings mean and to practice them in a better way, while also making sure that both they and everyday churchgoers truly understand the heart of the Christian faith. The text starts with an idea from Rev. F. A. Malleson, paving the way for a serious back-and-forth between Ruskin and various clergy members; Ruskin offers to answer their questions and worries through letters, especially pushing them to rethink what their jobs should be. He stresses the need for church leaders to not become too comfortable and to really wrestle with the lessons inside the Lord’s Prayer, believing that making these lessons clear and simple will greatly help their congregations. Furthermore, the letters explore how the Lord's Prayer impacts teaching and moral behavior, motivating clergymen to deeply consider their spiritual leadership and share a richer understanding of faith with their communities.