Download the Facilitator's Guide here
- Reflections follow the practices of The Way of Love—Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, Rest
- Each devotion includes a passage of scripture, a story, and reflection questions
- Perfect during Lent or any time of year
Living the Way of Love offers forty brief reflections about the seven Jesus-centered practices identified by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry in "The Way of Love" initiative. Sullivan tells stories from her own and others' experiences as a starting point for discussion about how to seek and find a deeper connection to God. Rotating through each practice so that each is covered once a week, going deeper into the practice throughout the forty days, each reflection ends with questions designed to spur further discussion and assist readers in making the practices their own. Perfect for using as a Lenten devotional or at any time of the year, the book includes a guide for creating a personal rule of life, and a downloadable Facilitator's Guide.
Read an excerpt
"Mary Bea Sullivan's devotional gifts us with the present of presence; she opens the door for the replenishing of our spirit. It is up to us to walk through that door and utter the 'holy yes.'"
—Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author
"With compelling stories that invite personal reflection and discovery of grace buried in the soil of our everyday lives, Mary Bea Sullivan takes us on a Lenten journey into deeper companionship with the One in whom 'we live, and move and have our being.' Along the way, we encounter time honored practices and disciplines that can heighten our capacity to respond to God's voice 'with the ear of the heart.'"
––The Rt. Rev. Frank T Griswold, XXV Presiding Bishop
"The Rev. Mary Bea Sullivan has written a guide for Lent, organized into the seven practices our Presiding Bishop calls us to reclaim as we offer ourselves to Jesus' way of love. These are not concepts for our minds to consider but a faithful person sharing her story, her ministry, and her love for our hearts to hear. Lent can be difficult if we pay attention; it's good to have a friend to walk with us."
––The Rt. Rev. John McKee Sloan, 11th Bishop of Alabama
"A good devotional is like a cherished walking friend who encourages you to stay with your daily routines, especially when you might be tempted to sleep in. She rewards you each day with engaging stories and bracing insights, questions to carry you through the day and guidance for new exercises to try. In Living the Way of Love: A 40-Day Devotional, Mary Bea Sullivan proves to be that kind of walking friend for our spiritual lives. This is a devotional you will cherish."
––The Rt. Rev. Jake Owensby, author of A Resurrection Shaped Life: Dying and Rising on Planet Earth and Your Untold Story: Tales of a Child of God
Foreword
Introduction
DAY 1 Turn: Standing in the Hog Trough
DAY 2 Learn: Listening to Scripture
DAY 3 Pray: Giving Thanks
DAY 4 Worship: Kneeling at the Rail
DAY 5 Bless: Stories of Hope
DAY 6 Go: Warming
DAY 7 Rest: Freedom
DAY 8 Turn: Beauty in the Rubble
DAY 9 Learn: Wrestling Together
DAY 10 Pray: Morning Prayer
DAY 11 Worship: The Front Row Seat No One Wants
DAY 12 Bless: Smilin’ Uphill
DAY 13 Go: Bags of Comfort
DAY 14 Rest: Body Wisdom
DAY 15 Turn: The Beauty in the Bark
DAY 16 Learn: The Word Comes Alive
DAY 17 Pray: Walking Our Prayers
DAY 18 Worship: Selves, Souls, Bodies
DAY 19 Bless: Breathing Out Blessings
DAY 20 Go: Christ’s Light
DAY 21 Rest: Airplane Mode
DAY 22 Turn: Listen Devoutly
DAY 23 Learn: Meeting Jesus
DAY 24 Pray: All Shall Be Well
DAY 25 Worship: Belonging
DAY 26 Bless: Inner Nature
DAY 27 Go: It’s All God’s Vineyard
DAY 28 Rest: Still Voices in the Storm
DAY 29 Turn: Be Who You Are
DAY 30 Learn: Follow Me
DAY 31 Pray: A Rare Treasure
DAY 32 Worship: Dining and Dashing
DAY 33 Bless: No Holding Back
DAY 34 Go: All Things Mend
DAY 35 Rest: Transforming the World One Picture at a Time
DAY 36 The Way of Love: Fist Bumps of Love
DAY 37 A Rule of Life: Building Your Trellis
DAY 38 A Rule of Life: Turn, Learn, Pray, and Worship
DAY 39 A Rule of Life: Bless, Go, and Rest
DAY 40 A Rule of Life: A Support System
Epilogue
Resources for Living the Way of Love
Acknowledgments
