How to Find Your “Lenten Match”
Before you dive in, consider what your soul is actually asking for right now. Think of these books like tools in a toolbox—you don’t use a hammer for every job, and you shouldn’t use the same book for every season of your heart.
(Hint: Click on the title of each book to read my book review. )
Books for The Ruminator: For the person who wants to chew on a single, powerful thought all day.
If you’re feeling stagnant or just “bored” with your usual way of thinking, pick a book that leans into spiritual rumination. These are your “thought-provokers.” They aren’t meant to be read quickly; they are meant to be sat with, questioned, and even argued with. They are designed to crack open your assumptions so you can connect with a deeper truth.
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“I believe contemplation shows us that nothing inside us is as bad as our hatred and denial of the bad. Hating and denying it only complicates our problems…Everything belongs; God uses everything. There are no dead-ends. There is no wasted energy. Everything.” -Richard Rohr
The Vibe: For the person who feels “not enough.”
The Path: Spiritual Rumination.
Why read it: If you feel like you’re constantly trying to “fix” yourself for God, this book is a massive exhale. Rohr argues that even the messy, broken parts of your life belong in the garden of grace. It’s perfect for someone who wants to spend Lent unlearning judgment and just learning to be.
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“All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” (what Jesus told Julian in a vision)
The Vibe: For the person who needs deep, maternal comfort.
The Path: Contemplative Soaking.
Why read it: This modern translation makes a 14th-century mystic feel like a close friend. Julian’s famous line, “All shall be well,” wasn’t written from a place of easy comfort, but from a life of great trial. This is for you if you want to soak in the unconditional, “mothering” love of God this season.
3. Awareness
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“Life is a banquet. And the tragedy is that most people are starving to death.” – Anthony De Mello
The Vibe: For the person who feels like they’re living on “autopilot.”
The Path: A Wake-up Call.
Why read it: This isn’t a “cuddle up and feel good” book; it’s a splash of cold water to the face. De Mello is witty, provocative, and a little bit blunt. He wants to help you snap out of your cultural conditioning so you can actually see the reality and the God right in front of you.
Books for The Practitioner: For the person who is tired of “thinking” and wants to start “doing” (active meditation).
If your brain feels like it has 50 tabs open, choose a book that focuses on active meditation. These are your “manual” books—they provide guideposts to enter into imaginative prayer and meditation.
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“Whenever I open the door of my heart and take the passage beyond where I am now, the wonder and richness of divine presence and the resilient beauty of my soul amaze me.” -Joyce Rupp
The Vibe: For the person who loves a good roadmap.
The Path: Active Meditation & Journaling.
Why read it: This is a 6-week “workshop” in a book. If you like structure, Rupp uses the metaphor of the “door” to help you walk through your own heart. It’s packed with daily prayers, guided reflections, and questions that are perfect for your journaling time.
2. Wellsprings
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“This book is meant to lead from mind to sense, from thought to fantasy and feeling–then, I hope, through feeling, fantasy, and sense to silence. So use it like a staircase to get up to the terrace. Once there, be sure to leave the stairs, or you will never see the sky.” -Anthony De Mello
The Vibe: For the person who wants to “feel” their prayer, not just think it.
The Path: Guided Spiritual Exercises.
Why read it: While Awareness is about your mindset, Wellsprings is about your body and imagination. It’s full of short, practical exercises that use your senses to help you connect with God.
My hope is that you find the book that resonates with your heart right now and draws you into a richer spiritual connection. Whether it’s through a profound thought or a quiet moment of prayer, I hope these pages help you dig a little deeper and remind you that you’re never walking this path alone.
About the Author: Julie Glaser is a healer who creates sacred spaces for others to share, release, and grow. She’s in the habit of being in awe and wonder and writes to share her own experiences with other inquisitive souls in the process of transforming.
Spiritual Direction and Healing Touch Energy Therapy 