Request a Review Copy Request an Interview

Media

Download Hi-Res Book Cover

Download Hi-Res Author Photo

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Beloved Author Joni Eareckson Tada Offers Rich Insights into Suffering with Grace—Alongside Meditations from Brother Lawrence—Helping Readers Practice the Presence of Jesus Every Day

The Practice of the Presence of Jesus Features Never-Before-Published Content and Tada’s Beautiful Original Line Art
 
More than 50 years ago, Joni Eareckson Tada suffered a terrible accident that broke her neck and left her paralyzed. This tragedy led her from a life of distant faith to a life as a devout Christian, and she later became a worldwide disability advocate and influencer, sharing her experiences of suffering with grace.
 
This internationally respected Joni & Friends founder and radio host now shares practical insights to help readers discover the joy of intentionally dwelling in the presence of God in her new devotional, The Practice of the Presence of Jesus: Daily Meditations on the Nearness of Our Savior (a Multnomah hardcover; on-sale 10/24/23).
 
Throughout the book, Tada weaves in treasures of timeless wisdom from seventeenth-century monk Brother Lawrence, whose example of abiding in Christ became the classic The Practice of the Presence of God after living through the drudgeries of monastery kitchen duty during the turbulence of France in the 1600s.
 
“Our culture screams at us in a thousand different voices, and at times I can hardly hear my soul breathe. In [Brother Lawrence’s the Practice of the Presence of God I find the single voice of a humble brother who lowers the volume. His writing is simple, and I like that,” Tada notes in The Practice of the Presence of Jesus.
 
“In the ordinary rhythms of life with a disability and its paraphernalia, I practice the moment-by-moment presence of Jesus Christ. I hardly have a choice in the matter; pain and disability require daily closeness to Christ.”
 
Both new and seasoned Christians will enjoy a unique blend of past and present wisdom on such themes as:
·       humility
·       thankfulness
·       fear
·       worship
·       obedience
·       abiding in Christ
·       hope.
 
Through rich devotional content from Brother Lawrence’s book, and never-before-published insights from Tada, readers of The Practice of the Presence of Jesus will be inspired and challenged by these saints’ lives—more than 400 years apart—to dwell in the active presence of God moment by moment.
 
For more information, visit joniandfriends.org and waterbrookmultnomah.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: A diving accident left Joni Eareckson Tada a quadriplegic in a wheelchair at seventeen years old. She emerged from rehabilitation with a determination to help others in similar situations. In 1979, she founded Joni and Friends, a ministry committed to showcasing the gospel to people living with disability. An author of more than 45 books, including her latest—The Practice of the Presence of Jesus—Joni is also a radio host and fine art painter. She lives in California with her husband, Ken. For more information, visit:
https://joniandfriends.org/
https://www.facebook.com/joniandfriends.idc/
https://www.youtube.com/@JoniandFriendsVideo
https://www.instagram.com/joniandfriends/
https://www.tiktok.com/@joniandfriendsofficial
https://nl.pinterest.com/joniandfriends/

Praise for The Practice of the Presence of Jesus
“The Practice of the Presence of Jesus celebrates the legacy of Brother Lawrence, bears witness to Joni’s remarkable life of faith, and most of all, honors the Savior they both love. With remarkable biblical, theological, emotional, and artistic range, these daily devotionals touch on nearly every aspect of our walk with God. The result is a new devotional classic that bears marks of the author’s suffering and also sings with ineffable joy. It is not merely Christ-centered; it is Christ-saturated.”
—Philip Ryken, president of Wheaton College

“I know few people more in tune with God’s tender, loving presence than Joni. She radiates joy and peace, and every interaction with her makes it clear that she keeps close company with her Savior. Her reflections on the beloved writings of Brother Lawrence are sure to provide readers with the inspiration and encouragement they need to practice the presence of Jesus.”
—Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family

“In this amazing book, Joni doesn’t just tell us how to practice the presence of Jesus; she also shows us by the powerful example of her own pain-filled life. Thank you, Joni, for renewing my earnest desire to have an enlarged heart of worship and love for Jesus . . . a heart like yours.”
—Anne Graham Lotz, author of Jesus in Me, international Bible teacher

“The Practice of the Presence of Jesus acts as a faithful guide, drawing us away from the world’s busyness by helping us meditate on heavenly truths. Joni beautifully interweaves quotes from Brother Lawrence alongside her devotional insights, allowing us to glean from her wisdom as we behold the goodness of God.”
—Melissa Kruger, author and vice president of discipleship programming at The Gospel Coalition

“Joni is a trophy of God’s grace and a demonstration of what it means to find deep satisfaction in Christ. The pearls she offers in The Practice of the Presence of Jesus—besides being a treasure trove of rich devotional material—help us not only to understand but also to access for ourselves the secret to Joni’s joy: In being with the Savior, we become like him.”
—Scott Sauls, senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church and author of Beautiful People Don’t Just Happen

“These meditations invite you into the throne room of your Savior King, where the tenderest of daily mercies can be found. It is clear that Joni worshipped her way through the writing of this book, and you will be led to worship as you read it. Since Jesus is our only hope in this life and the one to come, practicing his presence is an essential habit we all need to acquire. This book is a wonderful place to start.”
—Paul David Tripp, bestselling author of New Morning Mercies

“I started by reading this like a normal book, but that wasn’t possible. Not only did I need to slow down and absorb Brother Lawrence’s timeless truths with Joni’s beautiful exhortations and meditations; I wanted to.”
—Dallas Jenkins, creator of The Chosen

 
Notable Quotes from Joni Eareckson Tada, author of The Practice of the Presence of Jesus
 
“What burdens might Jesus want to carry for you today?”
 
“Your simplest pleasures are gifts from God. Celebrate that.”
 
“Someone has a greater need than you do. Find that hurting one and fill their emptiness.”
 
“Be amazed that God crossed time, space, and endless galaxies to reach you.”
 
“Only when we seek God are we truly satisfied. I can tell I am most satisfied in Jesus when I have that settled sense of being firmly fixed in him, unmovable and unshakeable.”
 
“Remaining in Christ is not like plugging yourself into a power source until your spiritual batteries read 100 percent…A healthy relationship with Jesus is an abiding one. Remaining in him is not sporadic or occasional, like popping in on a good friend when you need his help…be the branch that needs the vine.”

Contact Publicist

Brett Benson