Following four tumultuous years under the Trump administration, the contentious 2020 presidential race, and a days-long wait for the results, Joseph R. Biden Jr. defeated incumbent Donald Trump for the presidency. During his acceptance speech, Biden said he ran for office in order to “restore the soul of America,” and he promised “to be a president who seeks not to divide, but to unify; who doesn’t see red and blue states, but a United States.”
Additionally, in her historic win as the first woman of color to be elected Vice President, Kamala Harris referenced “a new day in America” as she looked to a better future.
For readers who also want to move forward with optimism and a restored spirit, new and forthcoming books from religion and spirituality publishers are addressing stress, division, presence, and more. These fall titles explore spiritual practices such as meditation, prayer, and even rest as a means for finding hope, healing, and peace.
A Future Without Walls: Confronting Our Divisions
Longtime activist and theologian Snyder examines roots, forms, and consequences of what he calls “othering,” or when people exclude those they deem different from themselves. The book also features insight from mystics, scientists, philosophers, and theologians who address racism, xenophobia, bullying and more.
A House Divided: Engaging the Issues Through the Politics of Compassion
Feldmeir, a pastor at Saint Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch, Colo., encourages readers to relate to others and respond to controversial issues—including climate change, immigration, homosexuality, and five other divisive issues—by drawing on the Christian ethic of love. Each chapter comes with a study guide intended for small group discussions.
Meditations for the Soul
Therapist and former Benedictine monk Lundgren introduces breathing exercises, visualizations, affirmations, and other methods intended to help readers discover deep joy, fulfillment, and presence.
Rest Now: 7 Ways to Say No, Set Boundaries, and Seize Joy
The blogger at Purposeful Faith lays out healthy habits for avoiding burnout, eliminating passive-aggressive behavior, and letting go of guilt when it comes to communicating with others.
The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor
Schiess, a staff writer at Christ and Pop Culture, draws on her experiences as a young Christian weary of the political legacy of the church to argue that the only way out of the “political morass” is to apply a more faithful approach to political engagement, one that is closely aligned with the truth of the gospel.
The Prayer Map for a Less Stressed Life
Compiled by Barbour’s editorial team, this prayer journal guides readers to write down specific thoughts, ideas, and lists in order to identify and prioritize what matters most, and what to pray about while talking with God.
