Flunking Sainthood Every Day: A Daily Devotional for the Rest of Us

by Jana Riess

In her memoir, Flunking Sainthood , Riess failed twelve different spiritual practices over the course of a year but discovered to her surprise that even the ones she failed most spectacularly taught her something important. In this beautiful daily devotional, readers who want to go deeper into the twelve spiritual practices will find 365 days of guidance, arranged according to monthly practices such as gratitude, generosity, prayer, Sabbath-keeping, and hospitality. Each day includes a short scripture verse, an inspirational reading from a contemporary or classic spiritual thinker, and a brief prayer, reflection, or follow-up action related to the day’s theme. These daily devotions help readers understand that spiritual growth is a lifelong journey without a fixed destination―and that there is great compassion for all of us who are flunking sainthood.

Genres: Nonfiction

290 pages, Hardcover

First published December 14, 2014

About the author

Jana Riess is the author, co-author, or editor of many books, including:

"The Next Mormons: How Millennials Are Changing the LDS Church"
"The Prayer Wheel: A Daily Guide to Renewing Your Faith with a Rediscovered Spiritual Practice"
"Flunking Sainthood: A Year of Breaking the Sabbath, Forgetting to Pray, and Still Loving My Neighbor"
"The Twible: All the Chapters of the Bible in 140 Characters or Less . . . . Now with 68% More Humor!"

She is a senior columnist for Religion News Service and holds degrees in religion from Wellesley College and Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in American religious history from Columbia University. She speaks often to media about issues pertaining to religion in America.

Reviews

[alisonwonderland (Alison) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flunking Sainthood Every Day is a daily devotional follow-up to Riess's project memoir Flunking Sainthood: A Year of Breaking the Sabbath, Forgetting to Pray, and Still Loving My Neighbor (which I loved).

I wasn't very good about reading one devotional every day nor actually doing most of the spiritual practices outlined. I did gain some insights and inspiration, and I look forward to re-visiting some of the quotes I highlighted and maybe reading some of the source material.

[Michele Tanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great daily devotional for those that don’t spend a lot of time in prayer. If read in the morning, it helps you focus your daily prayer and actions.

[Darcey Leis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed reviews on this book; mainly dissatisfaction from the various views that were not truly centered toward the true journey to sainthood.

[Spencer Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flunking Sainthood: A Daily Devotional for the rest of us by Jana Riess

The same author of Flunking Sainthood, who tried 12 spiritual practices but failed at all them, comes to us with a similar and yet different book here. This new book, Flunking Sainthood: a daily devotional for the rest of us is Jana Riess’ quirky wisdom in the midst of Scripture and another author’s wisdom. What really makes this devotional a treat is Jana’s careful selections from the pen of other authors and her very practical action points at the end of each day. Although you will find yourself disagreeing and agreeing with some of the selections in the book, this book will push you toward a more satisfying relationship with God and with others.

Jana points to the contentment we seek in having our house in order, free of cobwebs all the time. After quoting from Elizabeth Andrew, Jana writes, “Is it possible for you to find God in the process in creating a welcoming place to live, rather than in some ideal finished product (Yes I read those home decorating magazines too. Darn you, Pinterest!) (70) We strive to have our ducks in a row and our pantries lined perfectly, but we miss the point sometimes that it’s the people who make the home and not the order. Yet, I will admit that to get the house in order helps us all with our anxious feelings.

In looking at the Sabbath, Jana quotes from Andy Crouch who writes, “Busy, restless, Sabbath-less people are idolaters…Without remembering the sabbath, we cease to remember the Creator God who made the world and called it good; we cease to remember the one who brought us out of Egypt; we cease to remember the Eighth Day when God defeated Death” (155-156, from Playing God). Not attempting to fill the time means breaking from media, from even spiritual practices if these cause us unrest, because the Sabbath is designed to refuel our batteries, to focus our hearts on God’s good gifts and creation.

Overall, I think this devotional is wonderful in that it challenges us to see the world God made differently, not about rules or hoops to jump through, but infused with God’s grace. Secondly, this book was unique in that it came with selections from a broad range of authors from church fathers, modern evangelicals, progressive thinkers, priests, and Quakers, etc. Everyone will find some wisdom here but also a refreshing voice.


Thanks to Paraclete Press for the copy of Jana’s devotional in exchange for an honest review.

[Kathleen Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book written by a woman who tries several different spiritual practices... 12 of them, in fact, for a month each, for one year. She doesn't consider herself wildly "successful" at any of them, but she manages to learn a lot.

[Michaela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh, thought this was the original book and not the companion devotio al.