Bread for the Journey: A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith

by Henri J.M. Nouwen

When beloved author Henri Nouwen set out to record this daybook of totally new reflections, he suddenly found himself on "a true spiritual adventure." For in these 366 original, interlocking morsels of daily wisdom, Nouwen provides both sustenance and a trail for us to follow, as he unveils, to his own surprise, his personal map of faith. From the delicate interplay of human experience to the surrender to Christ and the embrace of Christian community, that journey of Christian spirituality is explored and celebrated here in each eloquent, thought–provoking passage,"The table is one of the most intimate places in our lives. It is there that we give ourselves to one another. When we say, 'Take some more, let me serve you another plate, let me pour you another glass, don't be shy, enjoy it,' we say a lot more than our words express. We invite our friends to become part of our lives. We want them to be nurtured by the same food and drink that nurture us. We desire communion.... Every breakfast, lunch, or dinner can become a time of growing communion with one another."Intimately personal and inspiring, Bread for the Journey is a daily feast of fresh insight into the challenges and deep joys of a life lived in close communion with God. Nouwen is a wise, loving companion who invites us along as he finds joy in the community of loss, true freedom in forgiveness of others, and hope in surprising places. Each daily meditation is a stepping–stone along a path of private discovery, offering Nouwen's seasoned yet fresh ideas on kindness, love, suffering, and prayer, the Church as God's people, and the importance of Jesus in one's life–reflecting, as a whole, Nouwen's own 'personal creed.' Bread for the Journey brims with daily nourishment and guidance for devoted followers and new friends alike –– food for thought on a yearlong journey of discovery and faith.

Genres: Spirituality, Devotional, Christian, Faith, Nonfiction, Theology, Religion

406 pages, Hardcover

First published November 20, 1996

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

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Nouwen like I listened to the stories of my grandparents: I want to carry the family likeness. I want to receive these stories, these words, into the depths of my being and live from that source.

Each day's reading in *Bread for the Journey* is a short letter of sorts, a little note to live by. They're small reminders that say, "Don't forget who you are and the family who is with you."

The daily sections are short and easy to read; they're a wonderful way to start the day. In my case, I read them beside Scripture and prayer and let Henri's words weave the life of Scripture and prayer together. For me, it's like I'm watching my grandfather live the spiritual life and speak about it right beside me, every morning. I read Scripture and then hear his voice, his thoughts before dawn.

[Iyabo Onipede]

I love this book. I use it daily because it is a daily devotional. Nouwen is part of my formation practice. This book will be part of my daily devotion for many years.

[Ardelean Simona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prietenii şi darurile lor unice

Nu există doi prieteni la fel.Fiecare işi are darul său pentru noi.Când ne aşteptăm ca un singur prieten să aibă tot ceea ce avem nevoie, întotdeauna vom fi cusurgii, niciodată fericiţi cu ceea ce are.

Un prieten ,poate, ne oferă afecţiune, altul ne stimulează mintea, altul, poate, ne intăreşte sufletul.Cu cât suntem mai capabili să primim diferitele daruri pe care prietenii noştri pot sa ni le dea, cu atât mai capabili vom fi să oferim propriile noastre daruri unice, dar limitate.In felul acesta, prieteniile creează o frumoasă tapiserie a dragostei.

Mozaicul ne arata Faţa lui Dumnezeu

Un mozaic este compus din mii de pietre mici. Unele sunt albastre, unele verzi, galbene,aurii. Când ne apropiem mult faţa de mozaic, putem admira frumuseţea fiecarei pietre.Dar când ne dăm inapoi, putem vedea că toate aceste mici pietre ne descoperă o imagine frumoasă ,spunînd o poveste ce niciuna dintre ele nu o poate spune singură.
Acesta este rostul vieţii in comunitate.Fiecare dintre noi este asemenea unei pietre mici,dar impreună putem descoperi lumii Faţa lui Dumnezeu. Nimeni nu poate spune :"Eu il fac vizibil pe Dumnezeu".Dar alţii care ne văd împreună pot spune:"Ei il fac pe Dumnezeu vizibil".Comunitatea este locul unde smerenia şi gloria se ating.

" A asculta este foarte greu,deoarece ne pretinde atât de multa stabilitate interioară incât să nu mai avem nevoie să demonstrăm ceva despre noi inşine prin discursuri, argumente, expuneri sau declaraţii. Adevăraţii ascultători nu mai au nevoia launtrică de a-şi face cunoscută prezenţa.Ei sunt liberi sa primească, să intâmpine, să accepte.
Ascultarea este o formă de ospitalitate spirituală prin care ii inviţi pe nişte străini să-ţi devină prieteni, să ajungă să-şi cunoască mai deplin lăuntrul lor şi chiar să indrăznească să fie tăcuţi cu tine.
În viaţa spirituală cel care ascultă nu este eul, căruia i-ar place să vorbească dar este invăţat să se reţină, ci Duhul lui Dumnezeu inlăuntrul nostru.Acest Duh creează in noi un spaţiu sacru unde celălalt poate fi primit şi ascultat.Duhul lui Isus se roagă in noi şi ii ascultă inlauntrul nostru pe toţi aceia care vin la noi cu suferinţele si durerile lor."

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is classic Nouwen. Thoughtful, meaningful and hopeful. Covering a range of different topics like most of his writing Nouwen uses few words but leaves you lots to meditate on.

Each day's meditation has lots of space enabling notes, however, as it happened Nouwen's daily email devotional for the past year used these devotionals so I typically used the email instead.

[Bonnie Niu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good daily reminder, together with scripture reading in QT is perfect.

[Kimberly Patton]

Good little tidbits but I think I need to read something for full-length and substantial. I like his wisdom and I feel like I would enjoy more from him.

[Greg D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been a great daily devotional. Each day's devotional is short and simple. Packed full of wisdom, containing nuggets of truth pertaining to all facets of life. Here are a couple of my favorite excerpts:

"Our emotional lives and our spiritual lives have different dynamics. The ups and downs of our emotional lives depend a great deal on our past or present surroundings. We are happy, sad, angry, bored, excited, depressed, loving, caring, hateful, or vengeful because of what happened long ago or what is happening now.

The ups and downs of our spiritual lives depend on our obedience, that is, our attentive listening t o the movements of the Spirit of God within us. Without this listening our spiritual life eventually becomes subject to the windswept waves of our emotions." (page 207)

"How can we embrace poverty as a way to God when everyone around us wants to become rich? Poverty has many forms. We have to ask ourselves, "What is my poverty?" Is it a lack of money, lack of emotional stability, lack of a loving spouse, lack of security, lack of safety, lack of self confidence? Each human being has a place of poverty. That's the place where God wants to dwell! "How blessed are the poor," Jesus says (Matthew 5:3). This means that our blessing is hidden in our poverty.

We are so inclined to cover up our poverty and ignore it that we often miss the opportunity to discover God, who dwells in it. Let's dare to see our poverty as the land in which our treasure is hidden." (pp. 230)

[Anita Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my all-time favorite devotional. I loved it so much and got so much out of it that I titled my own first devotional a Daybook! Nouwen inspires, encourages, and never fails to point to God and his tremendous love for each of us. This is a devotional par excellence. Entries are short and unforgettable. I like my devotionals to have a Bible verse and I considered taking a star off but didn't since this one doesn't reference or give a verse to read for he day. But the entries are so good and unfailingly pointed me to God that I decided it wouldn't be fair.

[Mary Helene · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mother's favorite book. There's a passage for every day. Henri Nouven is accessible and trustworthy. On rereading this book, I've come to think that all the important facets of being a Christian are covered.

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

We're reading these daily devotions around the breakfast table. Short, pithy, and profound, even for the younger sorts. Nouwen has a clean, simple style. Very different from the usual devotional fare.

[Annabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and these devotions! They really speak to my heart and Henri Nouwen has a way with words that always seems to sum up what I've been thinking, feeling or meditating upon. I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a devotional or for a new Nouwen book.

[Bruce]

This is a great book for a daily devotional. Henri Nouwen has a way of seeing things from a different perspective, the heart to resonate with it, and the words to express it. Highly recommend this book.

[Lino Viola https://www.goodreads.com/user/edit?tab=profile · Rating 5 out of 5]

A life saver

A life saver

I try to turn to this book daily. I've found it especially helpful on those days that life seems to drag one down. I also find that the content never stakes.

[Jen]

fabulous daily short reflection. can also subscribe online to have this sent to you by email. Amazes me how spot on these are, just when I need a lift or a pointer.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Am reading for the fourth time. Simple daily meditations that stay with you.

[Maly · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's packed with inspiration thought/bread to be savored each day. It's a good bedside companion.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love the daily reflections Nouwen presents....each day brings a thoughtful snippet that has me pondering on and off through out the day. A wonderful edition to my daily reflection time.

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a lot of theological depth but good for a simple daily devotional.

[TJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good devotion. Weak in a few places but overall worth it

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Digestible, substantive reflections refresh my outlook.

[Nisreen Nisto · Rating 2 out of 5]

الله يكون حاضر أكثر عندما نكون إنسانيين أكثر

[Will Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please order this right now.

Wanted to share my favorite of many simple, yet profound words from Nouwen.

July 8th - Wounded Healers

“Nobody escapes being wounded. We are all wounded people, whether physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. The main question is not “How can we hide our wounds?” so we don’t have to be embarrassed but “How can we put our woundedness in the service of others?” When our wounds cease to be a source of shame and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers.

Jesus is God’s wounded healer: Through his wounds we are healed. Jesus’ suffering and death brought joy and life. His humiliation brought glory, his rejection brought a community of love. As followers of Jesus we can also allow our wounds to bring healing to others.”

July 8th just so happened to be the first of nine days, where I’d share my story with 500+ people. I was scared, anxious, yet hopeful it would be used for the glory of Jesus. Just after reading this and before sharing, I had the best cry I’ve ever had. Relieving the weight I’d held for so long; as I was reminded to let go, trust, and breathe. Thankful the Lord knows just what we need when we need it. I know I’ll need this reminder many more times, and I will continue cling to this truth; and I encourage you to do the same.

[Davidg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second time that I have read this book over the course of a year. The first time I would definitely have rated it 5 stars, this time I would have given it 3, so I have compromised in the middle.

I read this the first time after I first discovered Nouwen and his thinking which made a great impression. It spoke very clearly to me. Now 20 years later, approaching retirement, it isn’t saying as much new. I did enjoy his thoughts on the Church though. Other areas didn’t mean as much as they once used to.

[Dr Ariel Rainey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like any 365 devo, there are days where this devotional is amazing and days where I slogged through, feeling like it was a little thin on theology. But this book is created from selections of his writings as a whole, so it stands to reason that not every single paragraph will be dripping with genius.

I like his stuff on the whole, but I differ in certain theological points, so there were days where I felt a little disappointed in his more ecumenical/less evangelical point of view.

[Stanley Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This devotional started a little slow and disorganized or it seemed disorganized but after halfway it really improved. Many highlights and notes taken especially the second half. Overall a good devotional...SLT

[LynnB]

Did not finish. My problem, not the author's. I have a hard time setting time aside daily for reading these inspirational and thought-provoking messages. I tend to read that way for a day or two, then skip two weeks and have to catch up all at once.

[Laura Silvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A breath of fresh air in the world of daily devotionals. Nouwen is creative and spiritual to his core. The daily readings were sometimes foundational and sometimes unconventional, but I enjoyed reading through his collected thoughts.

[Keri Murcray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Nouwen's writing and loved this collection of devotions over this past year. Great book.

[Piotr Jankowski]

Good read

Very inspirational author. I Love his books. Highly recommended. Bible based teachings. Very helpful in Daily Life wisdom nad inspiration

[Ceste Stanly · Rating 5 out of 5]

as always Henri never ceases to make u think & lift u up in Christ...this is my 8th or 9th bk I've read.