Stories of Jesus: 40 Days of Prayer and Reflection

by Joseph F. Girzone

Stories of Jesus provides a portrait of Our Lord in a day-by-day reflection format, based on the Gospel accounts of his life and teachings. Through these reflections, Girzone introduces Jesus and his adult ministry—from his baptism by John the Baptist through his public life and work, to his death and resurrection—pausing along the way to focus on the important people and events of Jesus’s world.

Girzone invites the reader to “enter into the mind and heart of Jesus, and subtly develop an intimacy with him that may form and deepen one’s personal relationship with the Savior.” Each day opens with a passage from one of the Gospels, followed by an imaginative retelling of the story found in the scriptural text, and a brief prayer at the end. The forty-day format allows readers to use this book for Lent, or at other times of year to provide a “retreat with Jesus.”

This creative approach to the life of Jesus will inspire a sense of God’s Son as someone who is a constant companion as we walk though our own lives, one who understands, guides, and loves us with deep affection.

160 pages, Paperback

First published December 16, 2013

About the author

FROM PUBLISHER:
JOSEPH F. GIRZONE retired from the active priesthood in 1981 due to health reasons, and embarked on a second career as a writer and speaker.

In 1995 he established the Joshua Foundation, an organization dedicated to making Jesus better known throughout the world.

His bestselling books include Joshua, A Portrait of Jesus, and Never Alone. He lives in Altamont, New York.

Reviews

[Dolores Ann]

Outstanding walk and meditation through Lent

[Doris Powell]

I really liked this book. It presented 40 New Testament stories plus the author's own reflections on the stories. His reflections were in many cases unique--things that I had never thought of, or they were put in an unusual way. For example, the author pointed out how Jesus approached the Galileans with different parables than he related to the aristocrats of Judea. The Galileans were not as well educated or as rich as some of the of the people of Judea; therefore, different parables. Finally, at the end of each story, he offers a brief prayer helping the reader to focus on the Scripture reading.

[Frank Ogden]

Excellent book that gives the reader a series of meditative readings about the life of Jesus

[Amy Flanagan]

This book helped me focus on the life of Jesus up until Easter Sunday for the 40 days of Lent. Loved the explanations of the readings by the author. Also loved the closing prayers each reading.

[Laura]

There are 40 scripture readings about Jesus with a short thought-provoking reflection and prayer for each one. It’s an easy and worthwhile read, great for Lent. I enjoyed it.