Sanctuary of the Soul: An Overview

Now Featured in the Patheos Book Club

Sanctuary of the Soul: A Journey Into Meditative Prayer
By Richard Foster

"At the very heart of God is the passionate disposition to be in loving fellowship with you. . . . From the human side of this equation it is meditative prayer that ushers us into this divine-human fellowship."

Richard Foster, bestselling author and founder of Renovaré, writes these words as one who has experienced what they describe. And in this new book he will beautifully guide you in this transformational way, that you might come to know deeper fellowship with God.

Weaving together quotes and stories from the lives of mothers and fathers of the faith as well as powerful encounters with God from his own life, Foster describes the riches of quieting your mind and heart in order to listen to and obey God more closely. Along the way, at perhaps his clearest, most practical best, he also provides the biblical teaching and step-by-step help you need to begin this prayer practice for yourself.

The journey into meditative prayer is not easy, but it is essential. And, as Foster shows, it's possible, even in the midst of the noisy, often chaotic world we live in. Your soul can become a sanctuary where you fellowship with the very God of the universe, who knows you and loves you deeply. These pages point the way.

Related Information & Resources
Preview the book with our Sampler.

Contents

A Beginning Word

Part One: Laying the Foundation

1 God Speaking, Teaching and Acting

2 A Familiar Friendship with Jesus

3 Descending with the Mind into the Heart

Entering the Experience: Worship at Quaker Meadow

Part Two: Stepping into Meditative Prayer

4 Being Present Where We Are

5 Beholding the Lord

6 An Inward Attentiveness

Entering the Experience: Trek to Cuthbert's Cave

Part Three: Dealing with Everyday Difficulties

7 Wandering Minds

8 Like a Roaring Lion

9 A Potpourri of Questions

Entering the Experience: Encounter at Jalama Beach

A Concluding Word

Acknowledgments

Resource Books for Your Journey

Notes

About Richard J. Foster

Richard J. Foster (D.Th.P., Fuller Theological Seminary) is founder of Renovaré in Denver, Colorado. He is the author of many books, including Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, which has sold over two million copies worldwide, Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home, Freedom of Simplicity: Finding Harmony in a Complex World, and coauthor (with Gayle Beebe) of Longing for God: Seven Paths of Christian Devotion.

Return to the Patheos Book Club on Sanctuary of the Soul to watch a video interview with Foster and read an excerpt from the book.