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Pursue Deeper Faithfulness with Eugene Peterson's Classic Work on Discipleship

Since Eugene Peterson first wrote this spiritual formation classic more than forty years ago, hundreds of thousands of Christians have been inspired by its call to deeper discipleship.

As a society, we are still obsessed with the immediate, but Peterson's time-tested prescription for discipleship remains the same—a long obedience in thesame direction.

Long obedience requires a deepening life of prayer. Peterson finds encouragement for today's pilgrims in the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120–134), sung by travelers on their way to worship in Jerusalem. With prophetic and pastoral wisdom, Peterson shows how the psalms teach us to grow in worship, service, joy, work, happiness, humility, community, blessing, and more.

This commemorative edition features:



- a preface from Leif Peterson's eulogy at his father's memorial service,

- a bibliography of Eugene Peterson's works, and

- the option to pair with the companion Bible study guide, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction Bible Study, for a deeper experience.

"Eugene Peterson's special gift is to stand beside us and keep our feet on the ground as he lifts our hearts to God and our minds to godliness. A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, which does this stunningly well, is also the best pathway into the Psalter you are likely to find. If, like me for twenty years, you find it hard to get into the Psalms, that is another reason to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest this brilliant book." – J. I. Packer, author of Knowing God



Eugene H. Peterson (1932–2018) was a pastor, scholar, author, and poet. He wrote more than thirty books, including his widely acclaimed paraphrase of the Bible, The Message; his memoir, The Pastor; and numerous works of biblicalspiritual formation, including Run with the Horses and Traveling Light.



Commemorative Preface by Leif Peterson

20th-Anniversary Preface

1. Discipleship: "What Makes You Think You Can Race Against Horses?"

2. Repentance: "I'm Doomed to Live in Meshech"

3. Providence: "God Guards You from Every Evil

4. Worship: "Let's Go to the House of God"

5. Service: "Like Servants . . . We're Watching and Waiting"

6. Help: "Oh, Blessed Be God! He Didn't Go Off and Leave Us"

7. Security: "God Encircles His People"

8. Joy: "We Laughed, We Sang"

9. Work: "If GOD Doesn't Build the House"

10. Happiness: "Enjoy the Blessing! Revel in the Goodness!"

11. Perseverance: "They Never Could Keep Me Down"

12. Hope: "I Pray to GOD . . . and Wait for What He'll Say and Do"

13. Humility: "I've Kept My Feet on the Ground"

14. Obedience: "How He Promised GOD"

15. Community: "Like Costly Anointing Oil Flowing Down Head and Beard"

16. Blessing: "Lift Your Praising Hands"

A Long Obedience: Epilogue

Notes