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For Sabbath's Sake: Embracing Your Need for Rest, Worship, and Community
Discover a spiritual practice that helps you maintain spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental health.
"We toiled on computers seven days per week, rising as early as 4:00 a.m. to squeeze in spiritual quiet time before we both retreated to our respective laptops, typing the days (and weekends) away. Though I grew up keeping Sundays sacred, six years into our marriage, we'd fallen into the trap of using the Lord's Day to catch up. … At its worst, our church attendance was less than 50 percent. … I began, for the first time in my life, to understand why people don't attend church services."
—J. Dana Trent, chapter 1
In our culture of constant busyness, most of us feel like we're never caught up. The lines between home and work have blurred as we stay tethered to our mobile devices and computers. Many people use weekends to catch up on errands and other work that doesn't get done during the week. God's commandment to "Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy" seems like a relic from a simpler time.
Many Americans balk at the idea of setting aside a whole day for worship, rest, and time with those who matter most to them. Yet we long for more time to spend on what matters most—unrushed time to rest, reconnect with friends and loved ones, and deepen our relationship with God.
An ancient spiritual practice exists that can help restore balance to our the practice of keeping sabbath. But how exactly do we manage to build time for sabbath into our busy lives? Dana Trent explores this question in For Sabbath's Sake.
With humor and honesty, Trent reveals her own struggles with setting apart a day devoted to God, rest, and community. This book traces the rich history of sabbath, helps you find ways to overcome barriers to this spiritual practice, and suggests achievable ways to build sabbath into your life.
"We toiled on computers seven days per week, rising as early as 4:00 a.m. to squeeze in spiritual quiet time before we both retreated to our respective laptops, typing the days (and weekends) away. Though I grew up keeping Sundays sacred, six years into our marriage, we'd fallen into the trap of using the Lord's Day to catch up. … At its worst, our church attendance was less than 50 percent. … I began, for the first time in my life, to understand why people don't attend church services."
—J. Dana Trent, chapter 1
In our culture of constant busyness, most of us feel like we're never caught up. The lines between home and work have blurred as we stay tethered to our mobile devices and computers. Many people use weekends to catch up on errands and other work that doesn't get done during the week. God's commandment to "Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy" seems like a relic from a simpler time.
Many Americans balk at the idea of setting aside a whole day for worship, rest, and time with those who matter most to them. Yet we long for more time to spend on what matters most—unrushed time to rest, reconnect with friends and loved ones, and deepen our relationship with God.
An ancient spiritual practice exists that can help restore balance to our the practice of keeping sabbath. But how exactly do we manage to build time for sabbath into our busy lives? Dana Trent explores this question in For Sabbath's Sake.
With humor and honesty, Trent reveals her own struggles with setting apart a day devoted to God, rest, and community. This book traces the rich history of sabbath, helps you find ways to overcome barriers to this spiritual practice, and suggests achievable ways to build sabbath into your life.
145 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2017
19 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
J. Dana Trent
11 books125 followersJ. Dana Trent is a speaker, professor, award-winning spirituality author, and minister. A graduate of Duke Divinity School, she teaches world religions and critical thinking at Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 21, 2023
Post modern progressive "Christian" (universalist) perspective peddling second hand (she mostly quotes other books) new age spiritual mystic goo. Only a handful of scripture references, mostly out of context, and mostly OT.
October 18, 2017
Dana’s opening chapter is absolutely precious. It’s very well written, inviting, and engaging. It’s easy to fall in love with her quickly. Her tone is refreshing and honest; her self perception insightful.
After reading, I more appreciate the title. As I read, I began to see why Dana framed the opening as she did. I had the sense she needed Sabbath, but my understanding about this grew in a tangible way because of how she presented the material throughout. Thus her premise become more compelling.
The amount of research Dana did is welcome. It enriched her case and made the book so interesting. I got an education about what the youth are facing in our current culture. I loved the quicksand metaphor.
Dana has given examples about many denominations and successfully demonstrated how the Sabbath is important for everyone regardless of their allegiance.
I enjoyed how she wove together pieces from earlier parts of the book into new material coming later to tie everything together. It was pleasing that she brought in a discussion, albeit I think too short, in two places about the existential driving force behind our resistance to rest.
Especially poignant is the section “Blank Sabbath Canvas” both for the ingenious creativity that the weekend exercise spawned and the outcome of the children (not a single adult) knowing exactly what Sabbath ought to look like. Brilliant.
After reading, I more appreciate the title. As I read, I began to see why Dana framed the opening as she did. I had the sense she needed Sabbath, but my understanding about this grew in a tangible way because of how she presented the material throughout. Thus her premise become more compelling.
The amount of research Dana did is welcome. It enriched her case and made the book so interesting. I got an education about what the youth are facing in our current culture. I loved the quicksand metaphor.
Dana has given examples about many denominations and successfully demonstrated how the Sabbath is important for everyone regardless of their allegiance.
I enjoyed how she wove together pieces from earlier parts of the book into new material coming later to tie everything together. It was pleasing that she brought in a discussion, albeit I think too short, in two places about the existential driving force behind our resistance to rest.
Especially poignant is the section “Blank Sabbath Canvas” both for the ingenious creativity that the weekend exercise spawned and the outcome of the children (not a single adult) knowing exactly what Sabbath ought to look like. Brilliant.
June 23, 2018
I have been savoring this book, one chapter at a time, during my newly found Saturday morning Sabbath time. I heard Dana at a prayer seminar in March and what she shared there and her book has been transformative to my life. And, as only God can do, chapters have been timed perfectly for the particular events of my life. A chapter on worship as I plan a special worship series. A chapter on community as I prepare to spend a day with family.
I have been saying “Sabbath” to as many people as I can lately. We need it, but we have fallen prey to the belief that the world needs us too much for us to take it. Believe me, it does not. A rested, connected you is a thousand-fold better blessing to the world than a harried, tired you.
Keep the Sabbath. In hour or minute chunks. In whole days if possible. But keep it and let Him keep you.
I have been saying “Sabbath” to as many people as I can lately. We need it, but we have fallen prey to the belief that the world needs us too much for us to take it. Believe me, it does not. A rested, connected you is a thousand-fold better blessing to the world than a harried, tired you.
Keep the Sabbath. In hour or minute chunks. In whole days if possible. But keep it and let Him keep you.
January 31, 2018
What a great concept! If only we could all learn to respect the Lord’s Sabbath. In our time we are so addicted to money and spending, that the Lords’ Day is only a phrase we use, not s command we keep. I plan on consciously keeping the Sabbath. My dad would be so proud!
March 25, 2018
Keeping the Sabbath
Excellent study of the value of keeping the Sabbath and various ways to go about it. Conventional and unconventional look at how to rest, worship and participate in community. Excellent way to not becoming overwhelmed by life but rather revel in it
Excellent study of the value of keeping the Sabbath and various ways to go about it. Conventional and unconventional look at how to rest, worship and participate in community. Excellent way to not becoming overwhelmed by life but rather revel in it
April 29, 2018
Excellent!
March 31, 2024
A much-needed exploration of rest in a world that is so focused on productivity, we have driven ourselves to an anxiety epidemic.
October 28, 2025
A simple, thoughtful book with a conversational style. Many helpful resources and a great introduction to sabbath intention and sabbath-keeping.
January 12, 2018
I'm biased because I know Dana, but this is a lovely book! This was the first book I read in 2018, and it's the perfect way to set the tone for a new year. The book looks at different interpretations about the meaning of Sabbath. The idea of Sabbath doesn't have to be a specific day, but a practice of taking time to contemplate and be aware. Dana shows that it isn't always easy to do, but there is enormous value in the idea of Sabbath.
February 27, 2023
Important and relevant topic, but the writing left me unimpressed. While she has many good points, it’s like starting over almost every paragraph, with no clear read thread except for a patchwork of thoughts, ideas, personal tales, and random quotes. A random selection of thoughts on the topic, but not that original. Read Brueggemann’s book instead.
October 25, 2017
A wonderful, thoughtful book! Dana Trent addresses the tough questions that are facing the church and the greater culture today: how can we slow down and unplug? How do we avoid being our own worst enemies when it comes to rest? How do we rely on God instead of trying to rely only on ourselves? I love Dana's combination of self-revealing, humorous reflection of her own Sabbath habits and struggles, as well as her insightful analysis of the historical and spiritual meaning of Sabbath. I think this will be a helpful guide to both committed Sabbath practitioners and those new to the practice. Dana reminds us that Sabbath is a priceless sanctuary and gift from God! Great read!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews