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Praying with Jonah

Wed, 27 May 2026 14:29:01 GMT

In a world of cacophony and chaos, how do we live into a faith that is both deeply contemplative and courageously responsive?

When spiritual director Sharon Seyfarth Garner began forgetting small but important details — appointments, family milestones, even a pot of boiling water left on the stove — she feared the worst and turned to her doctor for answers. After the tests revealed no physical cause for her forgetfulness, she was forced to acknowledge a spiritual truth: the very wisdom she offered others was the wisdom she herself needed most — to slow down and listen for God again.

Praying with Jonah: Practices for Imperfect Pilgrims is a gentle yet compelling invitation to rediscover God's sacred rhythms — stillness and boldness, being and doing, contemplation and action — woven into the messy magnificence of everyday life.

With the reluctant yet relatable prophet Jonah as our fellow pilgrim, Seyfarth Garner invites us to wonder together what it means to be still enough to know and bold enough to go wherever God is calling. Along the way, readers are guided into creative prayer practices — contemplative coloring, poetry, journaling, movement, reflection questions, and more — designed to help us wake up, pray honestly, act boldly, and love extravagantly.

Each chapter includes:

Reflections on Jonah's journey
Creative and engaging prayer practices for a deeper dive into meaningful spiritual rhythms
Whale Spout journal prompts with questions for individual or group reflection based on the themes of the chapter
A blessing and guidance for creating your own pilgrim's prayer journal

Perfect for personal devotions, small groups, sermon series, or retreats, Praying with Jonah offers a hopeful way forward in tumultuous times.

Come just as you are and discover how to thrive in the belly of the whale and beyond.

Simple Leadership

Mon, 04 May 2026 12:57:45 GMT

This comprehensive leader's guide contains five two-hour teaching sessions designed for the Lay Servant Ministries course "Mission Possible 3: Lay Servants Leading and Governing Congregations with Simplified Accountable Structure." Through Simple Accountable Governance, clergy and laity are set free to lead with full accountability to Jesus' Great Commission and the Charge Conference of the congregation. This advanced course with a leader's guide by Kay Kotan and Blake Bradford, co-authors of Impact: Reclaiming the Call of Lay Ministry, adapts the rich insights of their books, Mission Possible 3: A Simple Structure for Missional Effectiveness and Mission Possible for the Small Church, into a new 10-hour advanced course that emphasizes lay leadership structured for maximum missional impact.

The Upper Room Jul / Aug 2026

Fri, 01 May 2026 13:38:10 GMT

A single copy of the selected issue of The Upper Room daily devotional guide in regular print mailed to you.

The Upper Room is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 35 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing. Every day, readers of The Upper Room around the world read the same story in many different languages and pray the same prayer together.

Risen Indeed

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:30:19 GMT

Available November 2026; Preorder Now!

What did Easter mean to those who were there, and what might it mean for us today?

This Lent, step inside the story at the heart of the Christian faith. In Risen Indeed: Easter Letters from Those Who Were There, familiar and unexpected voices from scripture write to us from across time to share their personal experiences of Jesus's final days. Through creatively imagined first-person letters, characters like Mary Magdalene, Peter, the Samaritan woman, Pontius Pilate, Barabbas, and Judas reflect on how they were forever changed by the events of Holy Week. In these often-surprising accounts, radically diverse voices create space and inspiration for us to ponder our own understanding of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Written by the author of the bestselling Season's Greetings: Christmas Letters from Those Who Were There, this new seasonal devotional includes companion prayers, questions for reflection, and journaling prompts to help readers linger and connect holistically with the biblical story.

Risen Indeed invites lifelong Christians and spiritual seekers alike to sit with their questions of the Resurrection, probe what they've always been taught, and in so doing, draw new and deeper conclusions from the traditional Easter greeting, "The Lord is risen."

This Lent, encounter the mystery and hope of Easter anew with this extraordinary and unique Lenten devotional from popular author Ruth Boling.

By the Light of Dreams

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:56:01 GMT

Available October 2026; Preorder Now!

This Advent, look for God in the quiet of the night and practice listening to God in your dreams.

Throughout scripture, God sends dreams to inspire the dreamer and, in turn, all of God's people. What do these dreams found in the Bible teach us about God, Jesus, and our journey of faith? And what about our own dreams? What do they have to tell us about these vital questions?

In By the Light of Dreams, a daily Advent devotional, spiritual director Laura Huff Hileman explores how dreams and visions—both those in scripture and our own—show us God's transformative presence in our lives and help us trust the inherent, unbreakable bond between ourselves and the divine.

Beginning with the familiar Advent dreams about the coming of the Christ child in Matthew's gospel, Hileman invites us to wonder, practice, and play with these sacred visions as we move through the Advent season. Each day, she offers a teaching followed by a reflective practice and a prayer to deepen our understanding and imagination of God's presence with us through dreams.

Throughout, Hileman shares contemporary dreams that illustrate how dreamwork is an ancient-but-new spiritual practice, a doorway into meaning and sacred mystery for seekers of all sorts. A prayerful dreamwork practice, she suggests, opens a way of being in deeper relationship with God, with your soul, and with other people in and beyond the church.

This Advent, open your heart and mind to the transformative power of dreams as you explore this Way of Wisdom for living out God's dream for the world today.

The Bible Through the Eyes of John Wesley

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:56:17 GMT

Available November 2026; Preorder Now!

Explore the Bible from beginning to end with 52 weekly studies informed by Wesleyan theology and tradition.

The Bible Through the Eyes of John Wesley is the fruit of the author's missional work in churches across Latin America and the United States. The individual studies are designed to provide instruction both for those new to the faith and for those with greater knowledge or maturity who wish to deepen their study of scripture through the lenses of Wesleyan heritage, theology, and foundational doctrines⃜essential tools for nurturing Christian discipleship in the Wesleyan tradition.

Written by Rev. Dr. Philip Wingeier-Rayo, a leading Wesleyan scholar in The United Methodist Church, these studies provide the reader with a brief introduction to the life of John Wesley and the origins of the Wesleyan movement in England in the eighteenth century. Following an overview of the origins of the Wesleyan revival, the book is broken into two parts: "The Old Testament and the Law" and "the New Testament and Grace." The first part traces the books of the Old Testament in chronological order, starting with the Book of Genesis, and the second part covers the Wesley way of salvation from Creation, the Fall, prevenient grace, convincing grace, repentance, new birth, justification by faith and sanctification.

Each individual Bible study includes:

A Bible passage and key Bible verse to the topic of study
A brief introduction
A lesson with observations from Wesley's writings (Bible commentaries, sermons, letters, journal, or other treatises)
Questions for group discussion
A closing prayer

The Bible Through the Eyes of John Wesley will help to deepen and challenge the faith of both new believers and mature Christians and serve as a helpful instrument of evangelism and discipleship for both leaders and participants in the Wesleyan way of salvation.

By Water and the Spirit, Revised Study Guide

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:53:18 GMT

Available September 2026; Preorder Now!

What does it mean to belong to God through baptism? This practical study guide for By Water and the Spirit explores The United Methodist Church's official teaching on baptism and aims to equip individuals and groups to grow in lifelong discipleship by bringing clarity to common questions about how United Methodists understand and practice baptism.

In this companion resource, Mark Stamm, a leading expert on interpreting the Church's teaching, expands on the work of the late Gayle Carlton Felton and invites individuals and groups to engage deeply with the meaning, practice, and lifelong significance of baptism.

Specifically designed to be a document for practical use rather than a presentation of abstract theology, the guide is organized into six teaching sessions. Each session contains three types of material: the original text of By Water and the Spirit approved by the General Conference, commentary on that text, and suggestions for how to teach about it.

Designed for use in congregations and classrooms alike, this study edition includes:

The full official text of By Water and the Spirit
Accessible commentary to illuminate key themes and theological insights
Practical teaching guidance for pastors, small group leaders, and educators
Six structured sessions for group study or personal reflection

Ideal for new member classes, confirmation, small groups, and leadership development; this resource serves as both a teaching tool and a spiritual invitation.

More than a study, this is an opportunity to reclaim baptism as a living reality—one that shapes our identity, grounds our faith, and calls us into a life of discipleship and ministry.

Rediscover the grace given in water and through the Spirit along with what it means to live as Christ's own, today and always.

This study guide includes the full text of By Water and the Spirit: A United Methodist Understanding of Baptism, adopted by the 1996 General Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Encontrar tu camino a través del duelo

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:22:05 GMT

Disponible el 1º de agosto.

No estás solo en tu dolor.

Nada puede prepararte para la muerte de un ser querido, y nada vuelve a ser igual después. ¿Cómo se empieza siquiera a vivir tras una pérdida?

Cuando la autora Missy Buchanan perdió a su amado esposo de 43 años, quedó devastada. Al buscar recursos significativos que la ayudaran a sobrellevar su duelo, encontró que la mayoría de los libros eran demasiado extensos o complejos. Entonces decidió procesar su dolor a su manera… escribiendo notas personales a su esposo, sin filtros y directamente desde su corazón.

En esta conmovedora colección de reflexiones de ese primer año, Missy abre de par en par la ventana a su experiencia personal y a las emociones crudas que surgían día tras día. Desde las celebraciones familiares hasta tareas cotidianas como poner gasolina o sacar la basura, sus tiernas notas conectan con las experiencias compartidas del duelo, ofreciéndonos una luz que guía y una verdadera compañía en nuestros propios caminos. A lo largo del proceso, también afirma que nuestra fe no es débil cuando no nos sentimos "fuertes" y que la vulnerabilidad puede ayudar en el proceso de sanación.

Encontrar tu camino a través del duelo es una invitación a abrazar las complejidades de la pérdida, encontrar consuelo en emociones auténticas y emprender un camino de fe hacia la sanidad. Las preguntas al final de cada reflexión invitan a una exploración más profunda de nuestras propias emociones, guiándonos con suavidad en nuestros inesperados caminos de duelo.

Praying with Jonah

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:19:40 GMT

Available July 2026; Preorder Now!

In a world of cacophony and chaos, how do we live into a faith that is both deeply contemplative and courageously responsive?

Each chapter includes:

Reflections on Jonah's journey
Creative and engaging prayer practices for a deeper dive into meaningful spiritual rhythms
Whale Spout journal prompts with questions for individual or group reflection based on the themes of the chapter
A blessing and guidance for creating your own pilgrim's prayer journal

Perfect for personal devotions, small groups, sermon series, or retreats, Praying with Jonah offers a hopeful way forward in tumultuous times.

Come just as you are and discover how to thrive in the belly of the whale and beyond.

The Upper Room Disciplines 2027 Enlarged Edition

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:18:14 GMT

Available September 2026; Preorder Now!

The best-selling 365-day devotional that follows the Revised Common Lectionary.

In a world that can often feel uncertain and overwhelming, a daily practice makes all the difference. The Upper Room Disciplines invites you to begin each day by lighting a candle and opening yourself to God's transformative presence. Awaken your heart and mind to a steady rhythm of scripture, reflection, and prayer, guiding you to encounter God's love and wisdom every day of the year.

Each day includes a scripture reading followed by a thoughtful meditation and prayer from one of 53 diverse Christian thought leaders from around the country. Together, these voices illuminate the texts and invite readers into deeper reflection and faithful living.

A trusted resource for clergy and lay people alike, Disciplines follows the Revised Common Lectionary, a three-year cycle of scripture readings used by churches around the world. By grounding daily reflections in the shared rhythm of the church year, this devotional helps readers stay connected to the wider story of God's work in the world.

Combining biblical insight, thoughtful theology, and inspiring prayer, The Upper Room Disciplines offers a daily light to guide your study, worship, and spiritual life. Whether you’re a pastor preparing for worship, a small group leader fostering community, or simply a person seeking a more intentional rhythm of prayer and reflection, Disciplines is a trusted companion for the journey.

Join thousands of readers who rely on Disciplines as a daily source for prayer, biblical reflection, and discerning God's call in their lives.

What Makes Disciplines Unique?

365-day devotional based on the Revised Common Lectionary
Daily scripture readings illuminated by reflections from 53 diverse Christian leaders
Weekly themes that guide readers deeper into God's Word
A Guide to Daily Prayer to enrich your spiritual practice
A Small Group Leader's Guide for shared study and discussion
Wider margins for note-taking

Contributors for the 2027 edition include Bishop Ken Carter, Bishop Cynthia Fierro-Harvey, Willie James Jennings, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Bishop Jeffrey Leath, Lyn Pace, Joerg Rieger, Chanequa Walker-Barnes, and many more.

The Upper Room Disciplines 2027

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:15:44 GMT

Available September 2026; Preorder Now!

The best-selling 365-day devotional that follows the Revised Common Lectionary.

Combining biblical insight, thoughtful theology, and inspiring prayer, The Upper Room Disciplines offers a daily light to guide your study, worship, and spiritual life. Whether you're a pastor preparing for worship, a small group leader fostering community, or simply a person seeking a more intentional rhythm of prayer and reflection, Disciplines is a trusted companion for the journey.

Join thousands of readers who rely on Disciplines as a daily source for prayer, biblical reflection, and discerning God's call in their lives.

What Makes Disciplines Unique?

365-day devotional based on the Revised Common Lectionary
Daily scripture readings illuminated by reflections from 53 diverse Christian leaders
Weekly themes that guide readers deeper into God's Word
A Guide to Daily Prayer to enrich your spiritual practice
A Small Group Leader's Guide for shared study and discussion

Also available in large print, with extra room for notetaking.

Compassion in Practice, Revised Edition

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:07:39 GMT

Discover a path of radical compassion rooted in the way of Jesus.

How do we practice love and compassion for ourselves and others in a world marred by conflict and violence in our families, communities, institutions—and even our own hearts? In Compassion in Practice: The Way of Jesus, internationally renowned compassion teacher Frank Rogers introduces the spiritual path of radical compassion Jesus walked and taught, grounded in God's extravagant love for all people. This path transforms hardened hearts and brings healing and wholeness to even the most challenging situations.

In this inspiring and practical book, you'll discover a series of practices to ground and restore you through self-compassion as you cultivate an ethic of radical care that extends not only to loved ones, neighbors, and strangers, but also to enemies, opponents, and oppressors. Illuminated with extraordinary real-life stories of restorative love in action, these practices will equip you to step heart-first into a challenging world, ready to engage in a new way that beats with the pulse of compassion.

This updated and revised edition provides specific practices for compassionate social activism, more interfaith conversation, and a "compassion compass" to help orient you as you travel the path of healing and restoration.

In Compassion in Practice, you will learn:

The six essential dimensions of authentic compassion
A compassion practice that softens hardened hearts and accesses our best self
Spiritual exercises to cultivate compassion for yourself and others
The critical difference between empathy and compassion
How to practice compassion with a difficult person or amid violence and injustice
Ten principles of empowered and just compassionate action

The Upper Room May / June 2026

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:53:55 GMT

A single copy of the selected issue of The Upper Room daily devotional guide in regular print mailed to you.

As Yourself

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:22:32 GMT

READ A SAMPLE

Download the As Yourself 6-Week Study Guide

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” —Matthew 22:39

What does it mean to love others “as yourself?”

For spiritual director, therapist, and former pastor Caroline Vogel, loving God and loving others always came easy. What was much harder, as she discovered during a difficult season in her life, was the “as yourself” part. What did Jesus mean when he said to love others as yourself?

In this heartening exploration of learning to love ourselves as God loves us, Vogel invites us to embrace God's deep and abiding love, with our whole being, just as we are, today and every day.

Through spiritual practices, Biblical insights, and personal story, Vogel shows us how to move from striving for God's love to simply receiving it. With a gentle and wise voice, Caroline teaches us how to slow down, steady our minds, open our hearts, and tap into the life-giving flow of God's grace that is already within us — calling us out of our perfectionism, fear, or shame, calling us toward our own belovedness.

Drawing on her own deep relationship with the Holy Spirit, Vogel reveals that when we are truly aligned with the Spirit and follow Her lead — mind, heart, and body — we are being infused by God's grace moment by moment. We are breathing the Spirit and the Spirit is breathing us. We are living embodied grace inside and out.

If you struggle to love yourself as God does, yearn to know God's love more deeply, and wonder what it's like to embody grace in your daily life, this book is for you.

Welcome to the journey of coming home to yourself in God's love, as yourself.

In As Yourself, readers will explore:

Why receiving God's love is as important as giving it away.
How “hustling” for God's love is the opposite of living embodied grace.
How shame is often a barrier to loving ourselves and others.
How grace already lives inside us; we simply need to open to that truth.
Biblical stories that illuminate the theology of “as yourself.”
A dozen spiritual practices to help you embody grace.

Praying Their Way

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 14:47:45 GMT

Help kids develop an authentic relationship with God.

Children have a natural curiosity about God and an innate draw towards mystery. As they grow, kids ask bigger, more complex spiritual questions, and they need guides to help them explore their budding faith lives. Frustratingly, many of us lack the confidence or skills to talk to kids about prayer. We need resources to help us help them pray, in their own words and on their terms.

In Praying Their Way, seminary professor, pastor, and dad Roger Owens partners with his 15-year-old daughter Mary Clare to offer a unique guidebook for introducing kids to a lifelong journey with prayer. Filled with an abundance of tools to engage kids between the ages of 10-14 on the topic of prayer, this book provides support for that awkward time as kids grow from young children into teenagers and their faith grows and evolves too.

In this new resource for adults and the "tweens" they care for, you'll discover a new vocabulary for talking about prayer, specific prompts for conversation, and two dozen prayer practices in six different categories (scripture, silence, body, nature, together, and justice) to explore with kids in grades 5-8. Praying Their Way is easily adaptable for younger kids and kids through 9th grade, as well as the spiritual-but-not-religious audience.

Written for parents, grandparents, godparents, pastors, children's ministers, and Sunday school teachers, Praying Their Way is the book we have all been longing for. With Roger and Mary Clare as your wise guides, you will embark on a joyful journey of discovery and holy connection with the kids you love. And, as you share these practices with these young people, you may find that your own relationship with God is deepened and enriched as well.

DOWNLOAD THE 7-WEEK STUDY GUIDE

Compassion in Practice, Revised Edition

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:16:38 GMT

Discover a path of radical compassion rooted in the way of Jesus.

In Compassion in Practice, you will learn:

The six essential dimensions of authentic compassion
A compassion practice that softens hardened hearts and accesses our best self
Spiritual exercises to cultivate compassion for yourself and others
The critical difference between empathy and compassion
How to practice compassion with a difficult person or amid violence and injustice
Ten principles of empowered and just compassionate action

As Yourself

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:06:04 GMT

READ A SAMPLE

Download the As Yourself 6-Week Study Guide

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” —Matthew 22:39

What does it mean to love others “as yourself?”

In this heartening exploration of learning to love ourselves as God loves us, Vogel invites us to embrace God's deep and abiding love, with our whole being, just as we are, today and every day.

If you struggle to love yourself as God does, yearn to know God's love more deeply, and wonder what it's like to embody grace in your daily life, this book is for you.

Welcome to the journey of coming home to yourself in God's love, as yourself.

In As Yourself, readers will explore:

Why receiving God's love is as important as giving it away.
How “hustling” for God's love is the opposite of living embodied grace.
How shame is often a barrier to loving ourselves and others.
How grace already lives inside us; we simply need to open to that truth.
Biblical stories that illuminate the theology of “as yourself.”
A dozen spiritual practices to help you embody grace.

When Did We See You?

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 21:46:35 GMT

“Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?” … “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these … you did for me.”—Matthew 25:37, 40

An Honest Lenten Study on Money, God, and Faith

Like so many of us, Elizabeth Mae Magill struggles to wrap her head around the tensions involving wealth, responsible planning for the future, and how God wants us to care for those less fortunate than ourselves. How does a Christian with money respond and act in a country where over 36 million people live below the poverty line?

In When Did We See You?, Magill invites us into an honest conversation about faith, money, and community, posing hard questions about poverty, wealth, and what it means to follow Jesus in an economically divided world. With candor, grace, and deep pastoral insight, Magill wrestles with her own material privilege and encourages us to do the same.

Grounded in scripture and the author's own life and experience, this study explores how wealth shapes our relationship with God and neighbor and calls us back to Christ's radical way of love, justice, and solidarity with the poor. Reminding us that all that we have belongs to God, Magill leads us through a revelatory journey as we consider:

Our relationship to money and concerns about having enough
Biblical teachings on money, charity, justice
A faithful response to those in our community who have less
How spiritual poverty brings us closer to God and others
What Jesus' teachings call us to do—and who they call us to become

When Did We See You? can be used for individual study or small groups, and includes:

A chapter for each week of Lent, with reflection questions for each day
Litanies for Ash Wednesday and Good Friday
Stories from real congregations wrestling with poverty and hope
Concrete ideas you and your community can use to alleviate poverty

In a world of both abundance and inequality, When Did We See You? guides us through a crucial and timely conversation about our money, economic justice, and God's call for a world with enough for all. This Lent, may we have eyes to truly see Christ in our neighbors, and respond with love and action.

When Did We See You? is perfect for:

Lenten small-group studies
Church-wide reading programs
Pastors and leaders looking to open dialogue on money, justice, and discipleship

Exploración de una cultura del cuidado en la congregación

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 18:07:37 GMT

Esta guía completa para líderes contiene seis sesiones de enseñanza de 90 minutos, diseñadas para el curso de Ministerios de Líderes Laicos Exploración de una cultura del cuidado en la congregación. Basado en el libro The Caring Congregation (La congragación que cuida) de Karen Lampe, este recurso equipa a los ministros laicos con habilidades prácticas para el ministerio de cuidado pastoral. Los participantes aprenderán técnicas de escucha profunda para establecer conexiones significativas, cómo brindar cuidado durante tiempos de pérdida y crisis, cómo mantener límites saludables en las relaciones que implican el cuidado y cómo comprender las diferencias culturales en los enfoques del ministerio del cuidado.

And His Name Shall Be Called

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 13:27:05 GMT

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

Whether we hear it read aloud or sung by a massed choir, Isaiah 9:6 resonates with lifelong churchgoers, spiritual seekers, and even those dipping a toe into the things of God for the first time.

This Advent, step into the wonder of the season through the ancient words of the prophet Isaiah and the stirring music of Handel's Messiah. In And His Name Shall Be Called, beloved pastor and scholar James Howell invites you to reflect deeply on the four names that reveal the promise of God's presence in Isaiah 9:6: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

Each week of this devotional centers on one of these titles, with daily reflections that draw from scripture, theology, and music to explore the many ways God is with us — in the past, today, and in the future. Through Howell's thoughtful insights and pastoral wisdom, you'll discover how these names are not just ancient poetry but promises still unfolding in our world today.

With special ties to Handel's Messiah, this devotional includes curated playlists to enrich your experience — helping you connect your spiritual reflections with the power of music in worship and contemplation.

Written by Rev. Dr. James Howell — senior pastor of one of the largest United Methodist congregations in the U.S. and author of the bestselling Unrevealed Until Its Season — this new Advent devotional will touch your heart and lead you to Christmas with joy and hope.

Whether you're reading alone, with family, or as part of a small group, And His Name Shall Be Called will be a meaningful Advent companion, revealing surprises and great treasures to help you make sense of who God really is and what life with God is, and could be, like.