A Rhythm of Prayer:
A Collection of Meditations for Renewal
ed. Sarah Bessey
For the weary, the angry, the anxious, and the hopeful, this collection of moving, tender prayers offers rest, joyful resistance, and a call to act, written by Barbara Brown Taylor, Amena Brown, Nadia Bolz-Weber, and other artists and thinkers, curated by the author Glennon Doyle calls “my favorite faith writer.”
It’s no secret that we are overworked, overpressured, and edging burnout. Unsurprisingly, this fact is as old as time—and that’s why we see so many prayer circles within a multitude of church traditions. These gatherings are a trusted space where people seek help, hope, and peace, energized by God and one another.
This book, curated by acclaimed author Sarah Bessey, celebrates and honors that prayerful tradition in a literary form. A companion for all who feel the immense joys and challenges of the journey of faith, this collection of prayers says it all aloud, giving readers permission to recognize the weight of all they carry. These writings also offer a broadened imagination of hope—of what can be restored and made new. Each prayer is an original piece of writing, with new essays by Sarah Bessey throughout.
Encompassing the full breadth of the emotional landscape, these deeply tender yet subversive prayers give readers an intimate look at the diverse language and shapes of prayer.
Contributors: Alia Joy, Alicia Crosby, Amena Brown, Barbara Brown Taylor, Dr. Chanequa Walker Barnes, Rev. Emily Swan, Rev. Emmy Kegler, Enuma Okoro, Rev. Gail Song Bantum, Kaitlin Curtice, Kelley Nikondeha, Laura Jean Truman, Lisa Sharon Harper, Marlena Graves, Micha Boyett, Mihee Kim-Kort, Nadia Bolz Weber, Nish Weiseth, Osheta Moore, Rozella Haydée White, Sandra Maria Von Opstal, Stephanie Tait, Rev. Winnie Varghese
Preaching as Resistance:
Voices of Hope, Justice, and Solidarity
ed. Phil Snider
As nationalism, patriarchy, and alt-right fear-mongering threaten our troubled nation, the pulpit has again become a subversive space of sacred resistance. In this provocative and powerful collection of sermons from diverse pastors across America, hear the brave and urgent voice of Christians calling for radical change rooted in love, solidarity, and justice. Preaching as Resistance resists, confronts, and troubles the dangerous structures of authoritarianism and oppression crashing in from all sides – and proclaims the transformation, possibility, and hope stirring in the gospel of Christ.
From big-steeple churches in big cities to rural congregations in red states, preaching as resistance is practiced in a wide variety of social contexts and preaching styles, inspiring and equipping listeners to respond to the call of justice. Ideal for pastors and church leaders, Preaching as Resistance also provides the opportunity to experience hopeful, welcoming Christian voices rooted in the gospel values of love, solidarity, and justice. In these challenging times when Christianity is so often misrepresented, misunderstood, and misused for unjust agendas, take heart and find your own voice in this collection of resistance sermons from everyday pastors across the country.
Contributors: Emily Bowen-Marler, Amy Butler, Jeff Chu, Aric Clark, Wil Gafney, Sarah Tron Garriott, Richard Gehring, Molly Housh Gordon, Cassandra Gould, Robyn Henderson-Espinoza, Anna Holloway, Jesse Jackson, Sandhya Jha, Jin S. Kim, Kenji Kuramitsu, José F. Morales, Gary Peluso-Verdend, Alton B. Pollard III, Micki Pulleyking, Susan Russell, Leah D. Schade, Darryl Schafer, Austin Crenshaw Shelley, David Swinton, Laura Jean Truman, Richard Voelz, Alexis James Waggoner, Lori Walke, Michael W. Waters, Erin Wathen, Layton E. Williams, Brian Zahnd
Patheos
In 2018-19, Laura Jean wrote her way through the lectionary Scripture texts, finding modern political and spiritual meaning throughout the liturgical year,
at her Patheos blog, “Old Things New”.
Podcast Appearances
“The Zeigcast” with Jonathan Martin
“Living in the In/Between with Laura Jean Truman”
“Jonathan sits down with Laura Jean Truman for one of the most beautiful conversations we’ve had yet! This is wonderful conversation full of tenderness, deep introspection, and just the right amount of restlessness.”
Listen here.
“Exvangelical” with Blake Chastain
Ep. 55: Laura Jean Truman
“Laura Jean and I talk about her life, how the way we view our past changes over time, her experience being queer in a non-affirming church, and why she remains engaged with Christianity.” Listen here.
Hi-Phi Nation
S02E07: Creed and Credences
On this episode we look at two stories of people trying to reconcile their religious and empirical beliefs about the world, and hear from a philosopher whose theory says that their attempts may be futile. Guest voices include Dino Dave, Laura Jean Truman, and philosopher Neil Van Leeuwen. Listen here.
Other podcast appearances include
Making Room on the Pew, Lord Have Mercy, and Love, Rinse, Repeat.
