Where Jesus Prayed: Illuminating the Lord's Prayer in the Holy Land

by Danielle Shroyer

Danielle Shroyer went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land at a time when she was tired of wordy prayers. She entered a church intending to pray only silently, focusing on the feeling of the place and God's presence within it. What happened instead was that the Lord's Prayer bubbled up, simple, open, and profound. Thus began a rhythm that lasted for two weeks of pilgrimage, as she traveled from place to place, each important for understanding the life of Jesus, praying the Lord's Prayer again and again. The rich intersection of place, Bible, and prayer, deeply rooted in faith, provide the reader with an experience far beyond a simple tour of the Holy Land. It creates an atmosphere in which Jesus comes alive.

As someone who regularly leads immersion trips to the Holy Land, I am familiar with the best resources available. Shroyer's book now tops the list. She presents unexpected, new ways of viewing the places, and she centers it entirely around a conversation with Jesus. Highly recommended!
—Jaime Clark-Soles, Associate Professor of New Testament, SMU Perkins School of Theology

Danielle's beautiful and wise ‘love letter to the Holy Land' brought me right back to the smells, sounds, and textures of that extraordinary place, and it drew me into a deeper connection with the Lord's Prayer along the way. This book is a invitation to walk with Jesus in a richer way, and I've learned from every step along that journey.
—Shauna Niequist, author of Bread & Wine and Savor

Danielle Shroyer has written a beautiful book, a wise book, a supremely interesting book, and a book that can help you do one of the most important and meaningful things in life ... encounter God, as you are, wherever you are.
—Brian D. McLaren, author/activist

Genres: Christianity

168 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 8, 2015

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book for two reasons. First, I likeHoly Land pilgrimage type books like this. Secondly, I read a earlier book by Danielle Shroyer ( Boundary Breaking God--a missional church book owing lots to Moltmann). Shroyer's Holy Land pilgrimage centers in the churches of the Holy Land, built at locations of sacred geography. Each entry describes the location, and is accompanied by relevant scriptural reflections (mostly from the gospels) and the Lord's Prayer (the Our Father). This is a nice little devotional with twenty entries.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am heading to the Holy Land in the fall, and my friend Danielle gave me this book to help get ready. What a beautiful travel memoir, written by a seasoned Spiritual Director. Her tending of my soul page by page prepared me - and left me eagerly anticipating the trip.

[Kevin K. Gillette · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, a full disclosure: The author, Danielle Shroyer, is a friend of mine. I've known her for a couple of years, and she is a delightful and intelligent lady, with an equally delightful and intelligent family.

End of disclosure

I'm so happy to be able to give this book an unreserved "two thumbs way, way up!!!" What Danielle has written here is termed "a love letter to the Holy Land" - that's about as accurate a summation as I can think of, for sure! When you combine a Baylor education with a Princeton education, all in the frame of a devout and thoughtful person, and then place that person amid fellow travelers, pilgrims, and seekers, this is the result. Rev. Shroyer's prose is so evocative and discerning that I was actually startled to read some of her insights. Startled not because they were out of character, but startled because, frankly, I realize just how much more thought I need to put into something that seemed so simple and workaday to me as the Lord's Prayer.

It's impossible for me to adequately express the type of achievement this book represents, perhaps because I just finished it and I am still digesting what took place as I read it. But this much I can and will tell you: If you want to gain some deep insights into Jesus' earthly ministry from (quite literal) "boots on the ground," then this book is unquestionably for you.

And to Danielle: Bravo!!!

[Ruthie Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book if you are going to Israel and Jordan. I read it right before going, in February 2022, and it made me more thoughtful and prayerful, while touring the countries.

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part travel guide, part bible history and all parts a good read. I won this in a contest and I really enjoyed it.

[Lizzy Seitz · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 out of 5

While a fast read, a lot of the topics discussed were repeated over and over again.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as the author wrote so well of the many places I too was able to visit on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Read it over Holy Week and may make that a yearly tradition for me.