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Beholding: Deepening Our Experience in God
Move from a transactional experience with God to a transformational friendship with Him through prayer.
How can time with God be a source of peace in a loud and distracting world? In Beholding , spiritual director and poet Strahan Coleman invites readers to discover the joy of being with God, not just working for Him. As they inhabit the art of resting in God’s presence, prayer becomes not only a place of seeking, but becoming.
Beholding calls Christians to understand
How can time with God be a source of peace in a loud and distracting world? In Beholding , spiritual director and poet Strahan Coleman invites readers to discover the joy of being with God, not just working for Him. As they inhabit the art of resting in God’s presence, prayer becomes not only a place of seeking, but becoming.
Beholding calls Christians to understand
240 pages, Paperback
Published February 7, 2023
368 people are currently reading
3072 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews
January 26, 2023
I wish I could explain to you how this book and the work of Strahan Coleman has altered the landscape of my heart and stirred up more love and hope than I believed possible. The image of Psalm 1 comes to mind, of a tree planted by streams of living water - a tree with deep roots and wide branches, drinking deep nourishing water from soil that is rich and fertile. The life of beholding God promises a life of flourishing from the place of deep love, radically vulnerable honesty and intimate knowing.
Coleman has been a faithful guide and a kind signpost to deeper and fuller living with God as a pursuit of the intimate hallways of communion that I have come to believe are the pinnacle of the promise of Jesus’ life, ministry, death and resurrection. The trajectory of the Cross is the redemption of all things to God. This book is a companion that makes gazing upon God an accessible reality rather than a far away story reserved to the pages of history.
Coleman’s collections of poetry as well as his music are steeped in wisdom and vulnerability, crafting words and melodies that conduct soul level movement. His work in “Beholding” takes all of the beauty, mystery and honesty of his poetry and music, and then marries that with the intimacy of deep conversation over a meal, putting even more flesh and bone to the God who He stirs the heart to behold in his creative works.
I cannot stress enough - read this book. If you are running fervently to God, this book will remind you His love is not contingent on our speed or work. If you feel disinherited, disconnected, or disinterested with the concept of God, I am of the convincing that Strahan will reintroduce to you a God that is much truer and captivating than the Western Church and the gospel of productivity has made God out to be most days. And if you despise faith, Christianity, or the church as a whole, I hope this work will soften your heart a touch, and allow us to partner in the world for a little more kindness, dignity and honor that all of humanity deserves.
Here’s to becoming Beholders!
Coleman has been a faithful guide and a kind signpost to deeper and fuller living with God as a pursuit of the intimate hallways of communion that I have come to believe are the pinnacle of the promise of Jesus’ life, ministry, death and resurrection. The trajectory of the Cross is the redemption of all things to God. This book is a companion that makes gazing upon God an accessible reality rather than a far away story reserved to the pages of history.
Coleman’s collections of poetry as well as his music are steeped in wisdom and vulnerability, crafting words and melodies that conduct soul level movement. His work in “Beholding” takes all of the beauty, mystery and honesty of his poetry and music, and then marries that with the intimacy of deep conversation over a meal, putting even more flesh and bone to the God who He stirs the heart to behold in his creative works.
I cannot stress enough - read this book. If you are running fervently to God, this book will remind you His love is not contingent on our speed or work. If you feel disinherited, disconnected, or disinterested with the concept of God, I am of the convincing that Strahan will reintroduce to you a God that is much truer and captivating than the Western Church and the gospel of productivity has made God out to be most days. And if you despise faith, Christianity, or the church as a whole, I hope this work will soften your heart a touch, and allow us to partner in the world for a little more kindness, dignity and honor that all of humanity deserves.
Here’s to becoming Beholders!
August 30, 2023
This is a great book on prayer that I will be recommending to all my staff. Not overly profound or gimmicky or dramatic. Just rooted in beautiful prayer practice.
Coleman’s focus is on what he calls “beholding prayer.” This was one of my favorite parts about the book and one of the reasons it resonated with me. I am turned off by books that talk about prayer in terms of what I would call “conversational methodology.” I think I have too much of a contemplative streak in me for those to resonate. This book, however, invited us to transcend those understandings for more intimacy.
That isn’t to say Coleman didn’t discuss methodology. He most certainly did. He made suggestions about things like “body prayer” and his chapters were full of personal testimony, as well as showing us how practical beholding prayer can be in the concrete.
This book was full of gems and I would recommend the work to anyone wanting a good read on a more intimate prayer practice.
Coleman’s focus is on what he calls “beholding prayer.” This was one of my favorite parts about the book and one of the reasons it resonated with me. I am turned off by books that talk about prayer in terms of what I would call “conversational methodology.” I think I have too much of a contemplative streak in me for those to resonate. This book, however, invited us to transcend those understandings for more intimacy.
That isn’t to say Coleman didn’t discuss methodology. He most certainly did. He made suggestions about things like “body prayer” and his chapters were full of personal testimony, as well as showing us how practical beholding prayer can be in the concrete.
This book was full of gems and I would recommend the work to anyone wanting a good read on a more intimate prayer practice.
January 25, 2023
Strahan’s book itself is a gift to behold. It exposes the honest hardship of suffering and uses personal accounts to emphasise the true rest that can be found in intimate communion, of beholding God and letting Him behold us.
Strahan depicts the ache that the common, western church goer has often failed to put language to and gently challenges the reader to pursue a deep friendship with God, over consumerism and striving.
His writing exudes compassion and creates space for those who are hurt to honour their strength in suffering, but it also extends an invitation - offering a way of comfort for weary souls and hope for the disheartened.
It spotlights the heart of the Father and the striking power of humble, true love, and it reinstates dignity to the simple reality of God’s unending union with us, serving as a reminder that “when we pray, when we open our minds and hearts toward God in any moment, we’re simply joining the conversation”.
‘Beholding’ provides wise counsel on how to experience the depths of God’s quiet presence both personally and in community, and marries contemplative and charismatic practices in a way that inspires fresh vision for the church.
This book resonated deeply with me and was such a joy to read. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough!
Strahan depicts the ache that the common, western church goer has often failed to put language to and gently challenges the reader to pursue a deep friendship with God, over consumerism and striving.
His writing exudes compassion and creates space for those who are hurt to honour their strength in suffering, but it also extends an invitation - offering a way of comfort for weary souls and hope for the disheartened.
It spotlights the heart of the Father and the striking power of humble, true love, and it reinstates dignity to the simple reality of God’s unending union with us, serving as a reminder that “when we pray, when we open our minds and hearts toward God in any moment, we’re simply joining the conversation”.
‘Beholding’ provides wise counsel on how to experience the depths of God’s quiet presence both personally and in community, and marries contemplative and charismatic practices in a way that inspires fresh vision for the church.
This book resonated deeply with me and was such a joy to read. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough!
November 15, 2023
As someone who cried to Billie Eilish’s Barbie song “what was I made for,” I found this concluding statement comforting, encouraging, and a great summary to this great book!
“I’ve found what I was made for, to gaze into the God of beauty and to find Him gazing back at me with His eyes of knowing love. To receive this life as sacred.”
“I’ve found what I was made for, to gaze into the God of beauty and to find Him gazing back at me with His eyes of knowing love. To receive this life as sacred.”
September 1, 2023
Buckle in: I've got a lot of thoughts.
This is a unique book. I find it very flawed and yet I've shelved it as one of my favorite books of all time - maybe this is because I couldn't help but to think that this read was very much a contemporary and more practical version of The Practice of the Presence of God, another one of my favorites. Strahan Coleman sets out to achieve an immense yet vague task: to explain how one can deepen and rethink what it means to know and experience God.
Coleman hammers home the message that the Christian life is agenda-free communion and relationship, not a practice of seeing how many prayer items we can check off of a spiritual shopping list. In delivering this idea, Coleman tries to get the reader to rethink what it means to pray, to abide in and to behold God, everyday and in every moment. He weaves in his own story of chronic illness to show how learning to commune with God is an ongoing lesson.
I ate Coleman's message up. Lines like "Was true communion something only those with a clear enough mind or enough physical strength could have?" put to words a lot of the frustrations that I've had in seeking a deeper knowledge of and sensitivity to God. A proper understanding of communion with God has been heavy on my heart in the last year because I believe the modern church has watered down the wonder of relationship with God to rules, petition and "God used to do those signs but He's not going to in this day and age". Coleman provides a way to rethink this relationship. However, I think there is some caution to be held when reading this book. I'm disappointed with how little scripture Coleman uses to explain and backup his ideas, and this is especially important considering the skepticism that arises when talking about the "feelings" and "experience" that accompanies knowing God. Without a healthy amount of scripture, there are aspects of Coleman's message that come alarmingly close to secular ideas of mysticism and spirituality.
Overall - a refreshing read and definitely one I recommend, but also one to be read with a lot of discernment. I'll be coming back to this. 4 stars.
...
Quotes I liked:
"A strange thing happens when we decentralize asking in our prayer life. What do we do? How do we commune with God without agenda or necessity? I wonder if the answer is partly why so many of us pray like crazy in suffering, then forget about God in healing, because we don't know what to do when the basis of our relationship is no longer desperate acceptance, healing, longing, or need."
"Being right does not equal being righteous. We need Christ for that, and He's a person long before He is an ideology or a movement."
"We separate the "spiritual" from the mundane and ordinary because we don't appreciate how imaged after God we already are, and how natural it is for us to experience and know Him."
This is a unique book. I find it very flawed and yet I've shelved it as one of my favorite books of all time - maybe this is because I couldn't help but to think that this read was very much a contemporary and more practical version of The Practice of the Presence of God, another one of my favorites. Strahan Coleman sets out to achieve an immense yet vague task: to explain how one can deepen and rethink what it means to know and experience God.
Coleman hammers home the message that the Christian life is agenda-free communion and relationship, not a practice of seeing how many prayer items we can check off of a spiritual shopping list. In delivering this idea, Coleman tries to get the reader to rethink what it means to pray, to abide in and to behold God, everyday and in every moment. He weaves in his own story of chronic illness to show how learning to commune with God is an ongoing lesson.
I ate Coleman's message up. Lines like "Was true communion something only those with a clear enough mind or enough physical strength could have?" put to words a lot of the frustrations that I've had in seeking a deeper knowledge of and sensitivity to God. A proper understanding of communion with God has been heavy on my heart in the last year because I believe the modern church has watered down the wonder of relationship with God to rules, petition and "God used to do those signs but He's not going to in this day and age". Coleman provides a way to rethink this relationship. However, I think there is some caution to be held when reading this book. I'm disappointed with how little scripture Coleman uses to explain and backup his ideas, and this is especially important considering the skepticism that arises when talking about the "feelings" and "experience" that accompanies knowing God. Without a healthy amount of scripture, there are aspects of Coleman's message that come alarmingly close to secular ideas of mysticism and spirituality.
Overall - a refreshing read and definitely one I recommend, but also one to be read with a lot of discernment. I'll be coming back to this. 4 stars.
...
Quotes I liked:
"A strange thing happens when we decentralize asking in our prayer life. What do we do? How do we commune with God without agenda or necessity? I wonder if the answer is partly why so many of us pray like crazy in suffering, then forget about God in healing, because we don't know what to do when the basis of our relationship is no longer desperate acceptance, healing, longing, or need."
"Being right does not equal being righteous. We need Christ for that, and He's a person long before He is an ideology or a movement."
"We separate the "spiritual" from the mundane and ordinary because we don't appreciate how imaged after God we already are, and how natural it is for us to experience and know Him."
July 28, 2024
Early bid for book of the year and immediately lands on my “Must Read for Every Christian” list
This book is profound and practical - expertly weaving the mystery and accessibility of Christ into a beautiful thread of friendship and Being
Such a needed reminder on how important Christ becoming flesh and dwelling is to our theology and redemption into sonship, not just salvation! God not only forgives us but likes to be with us!
Each chapter stretched me into practically walking in faith that Jesus lives inside of me and encouraged me to live in that reality in supernatural and mundane ways
Will revisit again and again - if you have a desire to deepen your life as prayer, please move this to the top of your list
This book is profound and practical - expertly weaving the mystery and accessibility of Christ into a beautiful thread of friendship and Being
Such a needed reminder on how important Christ becoming flesh and dwelling is to our theology and redemption into sonship, not just salvation! God not only forgives us but likes to be with us!
Each chapter stretched me into practically walking in faith that Jesus lives inside of me and encouraged me to live in that reality in supernatural and mundane ways
Will revisit again and again - if you have a desire to deepen your life as prayer, please move this to the top of your list
February 7, 2024
This booked changed my view on prayer. It is fantastic.
January 24, 2025
"I begged You for employment;
You offered me friendship.
I assumed Your distance;
You presumed our intimacy."
Just finished - might need to re-read immediately
😭😭
You offered me friendship.
I assumed Your distance;
You presumed our intimacy."
Just finished - might need to re-read immediately
😭😭
August 2, 2024
An excellent book by Strahan. Written to the Charismatic who feels the ache for a deeper walk with Jesus but has hit a ceiling of emotion and events—or to the Evangelical whose devotion has become transactional approach to God— either way, Strahan invites us into a life of prayer steeped in history, a well worn and joyful path created by generations before us… a path made beautifully accessible by our Kiwi brother.
The 5 stars is due to is relevance to our cultural moment… if you are already well versed in some of the authors, literature and practices he is drawing on, you may experience this as an introduction; but for many I suspect this book has the potential to revolutionise their walk with Jesus entirely.
The 5 stars is due to is relevance to our cultural moment… if you are already well versed in some of the authors, literature and practices he is drawing on, you may experience this as an introduction; but for many I suspect this book has the potential to revolutionise their walk with Jesus entirely.
July 31, 2023
I find it hard to review this book, because it mostly just didn’t feel right for the season that I’m in. I had to push myself through it, and in some ways it felt disjointed and rambly, maybe not quite as poetic and thoughtful as I was expecting from Strahan. Still, I came away with some good thoughts that I know will affect my life. An incredibly compassionate read for anyone struggling with chronic illness or mental health. I found a lot of comfort in his perspective on faith as it relates to being worn out and tired of religion.
January 23, 2024
I am so glad I bought this book, because I have a feeling I am going to reference it repeatedly for a really long time. With kindness, empathy, and creativity, Strahan paints a more compelling picture of a deep experience in God than I’ve read in any other book. His thoughts on prayer and heart transformation are so refreshing and simple yet, for me - extremely profound. There is a 0% works-based message to this book, but it reads very practically and I’ve already deeply benefitted from applying some of the concepts he describes. He does an excellent job honoring both charismatic and contemplative mindsets in an all-around gentle approach to widening a believer’s understanding of what prayer and relationship with God can look like. Highly recommend!
March 18, 2025
Beholding is a beautiful story of Strahan's discovery of a way of complete being with God in a time of hopelessness. Beholding challenged my way of thinking about prayer - Strahan says that God calls our entire being, thinking, walking, and talking to be prayer. I am encouraged by his stories and practical applications for being with God in routines, disciplines, liturgies, walks, sleeps, coffees, worship, and cries.
I recommend this book for people from all Christian backgrounds. Rediscover how you commune with God. Behold and be held.
I recommend this book for people from all Christian backgrounds. Rediscover how you commune with God. Behold and be held.
November 29, 2025
4.5⭐️
As with previous book I read from Strahan, his writing and narrating - is tender and inviting. It's a genuine call to get deeper, more raw and honest relationship with God - beholding Him and experiencing His beholding of us.
As with previous book I read from Strahan, his writing and narrating - is tender and inviting. It's a genuine call to get deeper, more raw and honest relationship with God - beholding Him and experiencing His beholding of us.
February 11, 2024
“I found what I was made for, to gaze into the God of beauty, and to find Him gazing back at me with His eyes of knowing love. To receive this life as sacred.”
Five stars for a second time.
Five stars for a second time.
April 12, 2024
If ever there was a book I was going to write, it was this one. Only, it was written so much better than I ever could! I will forever be grateful for Strahan Coleman’s enriching perspective of prayer. As we gaze at God gazing at us in love, we are so changed. I want to share this book with everyone.Beholding is what we long for and the healing activity this world is crying out for. It’s our home, to behold the beautiful Jesus. It’s our centered state. It heals the deterioration from dehumanizing systems this world pushes.
April 1, 2024
This is a great book that really reoriented my thinking around the Gospel. Coleman put language to my worldview and opened my eyes to the reality of my sin-focused gospel, one that is far too focused on transaction than reconciliation. Slowly, but surely, I feel God is opening my eyes to the relationship that is available to me in Christ.
“It’s not always about ‘being productive’ in prayer or even making sense of things. It’s about giving God the opportunity to be known by me as He’s already allowed Himself to be known.”
“It’s not always about ‘being productive’ in prayer or even making sense of things. It’s about giving God the opportunity to be known by me as He’s already allowed Himself to be known.”
October 30, 2024
A beautiful little book on prayer (contemplative forms of prayer, silence, taking Eucharist, "praying with the body"). Coleman's perspective is unique as it was through the crisis of being bedridden by a chronic disease that he needed to find a way to connect with God that was beyond words (as important as petitionary prayer is). Grateful to my friend who gifted me this. He knew this was the stuff. Definitely would recommend.
August 31, 2025
A beautiful book about contemplating and beholding prayer (narrated by the author's Kiwi accent on audiobook). I'm not sure I'm 100% in agreement with his understanding of the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, but honestly I think a re-read with a physical copy is needed in order to track his argument more consciously.
--> a paraphrase of a quote about contemplating God in prayer: "it's looking at God looking at us in love."
--> a paraphrase of a quote about contemplating God in prayer: "it's looking at God looking at us in love."
February 26, 2023
Some times the right book comes along at the right time. This was one of those for me. I’m not sure I have words to express it. All I know is this book felt like a companion on my journey to beholding and being held by God—to see him seeing me through the eyes of love.
May 10, 2023
This book has really caused me to question different aspects of my prayer life in a positive way. Anyone who would like to grow in their communion with God should read this book.
Even though it is not the main idea I love the sentiment that unity can be found in the the church through prayer.
Even though it is not the main idea I love the sentiment that unity can be found in the the church through prayer.
January 19, 2024
I highly recommend this book for anyone who desires to commune with God more deeply (aka everyone!)
January 26, 2023
Captivating is an understatement when it comes to Strahan and the way he has been gifted in writing and communicating. Beholding was an absolute to surprise and delight to hear about because I had been hoping to have a full-length piece from him for quite some time. Strahan is known for prayer, and he has helped me--among others worldwide--step into deeper levels of relationship with God and unearth new ways of thinking about life and faith. This has been encouraging, but honestly also intimidating as a pastor's kid who has also gone on to become a pastor. While reading Beholding, and hearing Strahan unfold his own story in detail, it resonated deep within that feeling we all long for when we feel lost or behind: "What? You too? I'm not alone in feeling like this?"
Beholding invites you into the depths of a reconciliation with God, ourselves, and the world in a way unlike anything I've read previously. The message and practices aid in removing the unnecessary pressure either we or others have put on our relationship with God, and ushers in truth and simplicity that not only changes how we live in this conversation and listening with the Triune God, but how it changes us and the way we see and interact with the world. A must read.
Beholding invites you into the depths of a reconciliation with God, ourselves, and the world in a way unlike anything I've read previously. The message and practices aid in removing the unnecessary pressure either we or others have put on our relationship with God, and ushers in truth and simplicity that not only changes how we live in this conversation and listening with the Triune God, but how it changes us and the way we see and interact with the world. A must read.
May 27, 2025
This book was helpful as a way to think about prayer as more than a transactional, often one-sided conversation with God. That we should be growing in our relationship with God into a deeper communion such as was experienced by David in the Psalms. I've been studying and memorizing in the Psalms over the last months, so this is something on my heart.
However, what many books on this subject are missing, I think, is an approach to this subject that is more based on scripture. Most that I have read that were written recently rightly diagnose the weakness in prayer and it's connection to dysfunctional church, culture, and spiritual life; but they fail to offer a scripturally sound way forward.
I find it troubling that the only advice on the subject that is helpful, according to many of these authors, is found in Catholic mysticism. I say this as a person who is open about different ways of thinking about prayer than I was taught growing up. (That's part of the reason I picked up this book.) But if the diagnosis of our lack of spiritual depth as modern Christians is correct (and I believe it is) then there must be a way forward that, though it may challenge our assumptions, is based in the absolute truth of God's Word and does not require us to play fast and loose with Bible interpretation while getting practical forward steps only from Catholic mystics.
My concern is that many who were raised in theologically sound churches but were not discipled into spiritual depth will, out of a blessed hunger for the living God, look for a way forward in practices that were not taught by Christ or his apostles.
Please do not read this review as me hating on this book. I actually learned some very helpful things from it. I believe I have a lot to learn when it comes to my walk with God and what it means to enjoy a real relationship with Him, and I was helped by this book. I guess my reason for the review is to caution people like me to stay in the Word and allow God to shape you with it rather than maybe just repeating a different set of mistakes from the past in pursuit of solving present problems.
However, what many books on this subject are missing, I think, is an approach to this subject that is more based on scripture. Most that I have read that were written recently rightly diagnose the weakness in prayer and it's connection to dysfunctional church, culture, and spiritual life; but they fail to offer a scripturally sound way forward.
I find it troubling that the only advice on the subject that is helpful, according to many of these authors, is found in Catholic mysticism. I say this as a person who is open about different ways of thinking about prayer than I was taught growing up. (That's part of the reason I picked up this book.) But if the diagnosis of our lack of spiritual depth as modern Christians is correct (and I believe it is) then there must be a way forward that, though it may challenge our assumptions, is based in the absolute truth of God's Word and does not require us to play fast and loose with Bible interpretation while getting practical forward steps only from Catholic mystics.
My concern is that many who were raised in theologically sound churches but were not discipled into spiritual depth will, out of a blessed hunger for the living God, look for a way forward in practices that were not taught by Christ or his apostles.
Please do not read this review as me hating on this book. I actually learned some very helpful things from it. I believe I have a lot to learn when it comes to my walk with God and what it means to enjoy a real relationship with Him, and I was helped by this book. I guess my reason for the review is to caution people like me to stay in the Word and allow God to shape you with it rather than maybe just repeating a different set of mistakes from the past in pursuit of solving present problems.
August 27, 2023
A complicated book to review.
I encountered Strahan primarily through his CC prayer class. His classes are beautiful, eloquent, rich, theologically sound, and accessible. It has deeply impacted me and I am forever grateful.
So to arrive at three stars for this book was a struggle. The content is good, the delivery is not.
Content:
The content felt very basic at the beginning but grew in complexity without losing its accessibility. The chapters on eucharist, watching and listening prayer, and bodily prayer are worth whole book. I will be chewing on the bodily prayer chapter for a good while.
Delivery:
I had high expectations for this book since Strahan is beautiful in his previous written and spoken words. And I must say I was a little disappointed. From the paragraph to the sentence structure it felt choppy, blocky, and just not “Strahan.” Which was a surprise, and a disappointment.
Overall:
A good book. Definitely read it if you want to learn about embodied prayer but big, “you just gotta get through the first season” vibes. It’s worth it though.
Also check out his podcast by the same name.
I encountered Strahan primarily through his CC prayer class. His classes are beautiful, eloquent, rich, theologically sound, and accessible. It has deeply impacted me and I am forever grateful.
So to arrive at three stars for this book was a struggle. The content is good, the delivery is not.
Content:
The content felt very basic at the beginning but grew in complexity without losing its accessibility. The chapters on eucharist, watching and listening prayer, and bodily prayer are worth whole book. I will be chewing on the bodily prayer chapter for a good while.
Delivery:
I had high expectations for this book since Strahan is beautiful in his previous written and spoken words. And I must say I was a little disappointed. From the paragraph to the sentence structure it felt choppy, blocky, and just not “Strahan.” Which was a surprise, and a disappointment.
Overall:
A good book. Definitely read it if you want to learn about embodied prayer but big, “you just gotta get through the first season” vibes. It’s worth it though.
Also check out his podcast by the same name.
December 30, 2024
I was surprised by how much this book spoke to me—especially on God’s omniscience the impact of attentive silence. Coleman writes passionately, and I appreciated his thoughtfulness in sharing about his own health: “It took me becoming unwell to give God enough space to be heard” (174).
A few favorite quotes:
- “God’s voice is a whisper, and here we discover that love is heard less as the sound of a revival tent and more like the sound of breathing.” (46)
- “We are so used to a commodified economy that appreciating and admiring something beautiful without capitalising on it in some way takes real practice.” (52)
- “He proves His love of us by allowing Himself to be misunderstood whilst we respond with anger, accusations, and ache.” (106)
- “As beholding prayer transformed my life, I wasn’t pulled away into a more “spiritual realm.” It was the opposite; heaven invaded my ordinary, and God saturated me.” (128)
- “Our habits become altars of availability. God does the rest.” (143)
- [Insert the entirety of the last two chapters, “Praying With Our Bodies” and “Becoming Beholders,” here.]
A few favorite quotes:
- “God’s voice is a whisper, and here we discover that love is heard less as the sound of a revival tent and more like the sound of breathing.” (46)
- “We are so used to a commodified economy that appreciating and admiring something beautiful without capitalising on it in some way takes real practice.” (52)
- “He proves His love of us by allowing Himself to be misunderstood whilst we respond with anger, accusations, and ache.” (106)
- “As beholding prayer transformed my life, I wasn’t pulled away into a more “spiritual realm.” It was the opposite; heaven invaded my ordinary, and God saturated me.” (128)
- “Our habits become altars of availability. God does the rest.” (143)
- [Insert the entirety of the last two chapters, “Praying With Our Bodies” and “Becoming Beholders,” here.]
August 19, 2024
Coleman approaches the practicals of prayer from a unique perspective of chronic illness, which I found interesting and compelling.
He discusses the beauty of prayer from the seasons of life where he couldn't contribute and was too ill to work or do ministry.
He wrestles with his value when he has nothing to offer God or the other.
He dives into the different ways one can meet God, even from desolate spaces of life. To behold God is valuable. To gaze upon Him is life-changing. To engage in the discussion God has already begun toward us is life-giving.
I think anyone can receive something meaningful from reading this book, but I also think those who struggle with worth and value would receive something greater.
He discusses the beauty of prayer from the seasons of life where he couldn't contribute and was too ill to work or do ministry.
He wrestles with his value when he has nothing to offer God or the other.
He dives into the different ways one can meet God, even from desolate spaces of life. To behold God is valuable. To gaze upon Him is life-changing. To engage in the discussion God has already begun toward us is life-giving.
I think anyone can receive something meaningful from reading this book, but I also think those who struggle with worth and value would receive something greater.
October 22, 2023
This book is profoundly helpful. It’s an insightful diagnosis of the state of much of the modern church and gives thoughtful and practical treatments for the problem.
I will also say that this will probably be an “upstream” read for many modern Christians, especially those with more conservative or Reformed backgrounds. It raises many questions, makes arguments and statements that will likely raise theological concerns and counterarguments, and uses language that may feel a little too liberal for some. But it starts an important conversation that the church needs to hear and consider, and clearly comes from an authentic place of communion and worship with God. This is certainly a book that stays with you and forces you to deeply reconsider your relationship with Jesus in important ways.
I will also say that this will probably be an “upstream” read for many modern Christians, especially those with more conservative or Reformed backgrounds. It raises many questions, makes arguments and statements that will likely raise theological concerns and counterarguments, and uses language that may feel a little too liberal for some. But it starts an important conversation that the church needs to hear and consider, and clearly comes from an authentic place of communion and worship with God. This is certainly a book that stays with you and forces you to deeply reconsider your relationship with Jesus in important ways.
October 19, 2024
Eucharistic! Living!
Unintentionally timed with TI + the Ignatian exercises. A good grounding point, a callback to reality and the sacred, amid such a tumultuous time of mind and body. Surely this man read Ignatius or writers who leaned heavily on Ignatius’ influence.
I mostly audiobooked this in the background (sorry, Strahan) during the many 30-50 minute drives between homes. This was useful and good for me, to breathe through and just be present with another person’s experience of prayer even if none of the practical material was new to me. The slower pace and resonant storytelling meant I wasn’t listening to super angsty alt music as usual. Maybe I gave in to a little less road rage as a result.
Unintentionally timed with TI + the Ignatian exercises. A good grounding point, a callback to reality and the sacred, amid such a tumultuous time of mind and body. Surely this man read Ignatius or writers who leaned heavily on Ignatius’ influence.
I mostly audiobooked this in the background (sorry, Strahan) during the many 30-50 minute drives between homes. This was useful and good for me, to breathe through and just be present with another person’s experience of prayer even if none of the practical material was new to me. The slower pace and resonant storytelling meant I wasn’t listening to super angsty alt music as usual. Maybe I gave in to a little less road rage as a result.
March 8, 2024
this book is so thoughtful, theologically rich, & practical. coleman does a wonderful job interweaving scripture, church history, & personal experience into every chapter as he shares & argues for beholding the presence of god. i really value his approach to having a wholistic faith — one that not only engages our mind but our emotions & bodies too. ive read quite a few books on spiritual formation, & i found this one to be unique yet very practical.
June 4, 2023
Man. What a wonderful, wonderful book. This completely reshaped how I understand prayer and what it means to “have time with God” day to day. A really good balance of descriptive and prescriptive content, filled with reflection as well as practicality. Made me even more of a fan of Strahan. Gotta buy his prayer volumes now!
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