Eugene H. Peterson, the author of the bestselling Bible translation "The Message," is our trusted guide on an intimate yearlong journey with Jesus. Chosen from the Gospels of Matthew and John, these 365 readings encourage us to remove ourselves from our hectic, day-to-day pace and pray with the natural, comforting rhythms of Jesus's own teachings. By slowing down and opening ourselves to the expansiveness of his words and stories, we become his apprentices. As we observe and listen to Jesus, we learn to pray regularly and frequently, as he himself prayed.
In his introduction and enriching daily meditations, Peterson emphasizes the importance of spending time with Jesus in order to learn how to pray.
"Prayer is a way of living. It is not a subject to be studied. It is not a technique to be learned. It is a life lived in response to God. We do not learn "about" prayer, we learn "to" pray; and the prayer, as it turns out, is never "just" prayer but involves every dimension of our lives— eating, drinking, loving, working, walking, reading, singing. The way we follow Jesus must be internalized and embodied. That is what prayer does, gets Jesus inside us, gets his Spirit into our muscles and reflexes. There is no other way."
Through this prayerful apprenticeship, we can discover a new world of companionship with Jesus. "My intent is that your reading of Jesus turns into praying with Jesus, keeping His delightful company as lover and friend."
