Do You Love Me? Exploring our Relationships

Writing about this book by Jan Johnson, author Brennan Manning called it “a well-written and finely constructed introduction to the prayer of simple regard.” Author James Bryan Smith wrote, “The best recommendation anyone can give to any how-to book is this: It makes you long to do it yourself. That was certainly the case for me when I finished When the Soul Listens. It made me yearn for a deeper, wider and more consistent practice of contemplative prayer in my own life.” I (Mark Warner) couldn’t agree more. I listened to this wonderfully practical book while traveling on sabbatical and was moved by how accessible it is. The practice of Contemplative or Abiding Prayer is a central practice of Christian Spiritual Formation and Jan Johnson does a wonderful job of inviting the reader into a different kind of life with God.

Described as a modern-day book of psalms, this collection of prayers by Ted Loder is written in poetic form, and will provide words for the most honest, intimate places of your heart.  The book is divided into thematic chapters, like Comfort & Reassurance, Restoration & Renewal, and even Prayers for Seasons & Holidays.  When you want to pray – but don’t know where to begin – this will be your ‘go to’ book.  Each word of every prayer is written with deliberate intention, inviting you into a time of contemplation and relationship with the Holy Spirit.

John Calvin said, “There is no deep knowing of God without a deep knowing of self and no deep knowing of self without a deep knowing of God.”