Espaço para Deus

by Henri J.M. Nouwen

Durante os últimos anos, muitos amigos me perguntaram: "O que você quer dizer quando se refere à vida espiritual?". Toda vez que essa pergunta surgiu, desejei ter um livro pequeno e simples que pudesse oferecer o início de uma resposta. Embora existam muitos livros excelentes sobre a vida espiritual, eu ainda sentia que havia um lugar para um texto que pudesse ser lido dentro das poucas horas e que não só explicasse o que é a vida espiritual, mas também criasse um desejo de vivê-la. Esse sentimento me levou a escrever Espaço para Deus... "O início da vida espiritual muitas vezes é difícil não somente porque os poderes que nos causam preocupações são fortes, mas também porque a presença do Espírito de Deus parece quase imperceptível. Se, porém tivermos disposição de viver uma vida de oração e praticar as disciplinas de solitude e comunidade, uma nova fome se manifestará. Essa nova fome é o primeiro sinal da presença de Deus. Quando permanecermos atentos a essa presença divina, seremos conduzidos constantemente a novas profundidades do reino. Lá descobriremos com alegre espanto que o poder das preocupações está enfraquecendo e que todas as coisas estão se fazendo novas."

96 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2019

About the author

Henri Jozef Machiel Nouwen was a Dutch Catholic priest, theologian, psychologist, professor, and spiritual writer whose work profoundly shaped contemporary Christian spirituality. Born in Nijkerk, the Netherlands, in 1932, Nouwen pursued religious studies and was ordained a priest in 1957. His intellectual curiosity led him to study psychology at the Catholic University of Nijmegen and later at the Menninger Clinic in Kansas, where he explored the connection between faith and mental health. Throughout his life, Nouwen remained committed to integrating pastoral care, psychology, and spiritual theology in a way that addressed the emotional and existential needs of believers.
Nouwen held teaching positions at prestigious institutions including the University of Notre Dame, Yale Divinity School, and Harvard Divinity School. He authored over three dozen books and hundreds of articles, with notable works such as The Wounded Healer, The Return of the Prodigal Son, Life of the Beloved, and The Inner Voice of Love. His writing, often rooted in personal vulnerability and spiritual struggle, resonated with readers across denominations. Nouwen openly explored themes of loneliness, identity, intimacy, and the human desire for love and belonging, making his voice especially relatable and influential.
Though he was a gifted academic and popular speaker, Nouwen found his deepest calling later in life through his involvement with L’Arche, a network of communities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After a transformative stay at the original L’Arche community in France, Nouwen accepted an invitation to become the pastor of L’Arche Daybreak in Richmond Hill, Ontario. There he developed a close bond with Adam Arnett, a core member with severe disabilities, which inspired the book Adam: God’s Beloved. At Daybreak, Nouwen discovered a deep spiritual home and a community that helped him embrace his humanity in profound ways.
Throughout his life, Nouwen wrestled with issues of identity, including his sexuality and his longing for connection, though he remained faithful to his vows. His openness about depression and inner conflict gave depth to his pastoral message, and his ability to turn personal struggle into shared spiritual insight made him one of the most beloved spiritual writers of the 20th century.
Henri Nouwen died in 1996 of a sudden heart attack, but his legacy endures through his writings, the Henri Nouwen Society, and the continued global reach of his message of belovedness, vulnerability, and compassionate community. His books remain bestsellers, widely read in seminaries, churches, and among individuals seeking a more intimate walk with God.

Reviews

[Laísa Lemes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um livro necessário para o nosso tempo. Estamos ocupados e preocupados com tantas coisas quando só uma é necessária.

[Vittor Oliveira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Livro essencial, releio anualmente.