Desiring God's Will: Aligning Our Hearts with the Heart of God

David G. Benner

InterVarsity Press, Jan 6, 2005 - Religion - 123 pages

We overhear Jesus' prayer in the garden of Gethsemane--"not my will, but thine be done"--but have trouble honestly making it our own. (from the Introduction) Most people think of God's will as something to be found or as the receiving of guidance from God when making decisions. We assume that if we just knew what God wanted, we'd do it. Too often, however, the problem is not that we don't know what God desires for our lives, but rather that we just don't want to do what we already know he wants. Sometimes, though, we try to live the Christian life out of sheer self-determination and grit, only to discover that our will is not sufficient to sustain us. How might our wills be changed so that we become both willing and able to do what God asks of us? In Desiring God's Will psychologist and spiritual director David G. Benner explores the transformation of the will in Christian spirituality. He examines why our desires are disordered and how our human volition can be brought into alignment with God's intentions so that we willingly choose that which God wants for us. In so doing, Benner shows us that cultivating discernment and being attuned to God's desires is the path to true life, spiritual health and freedom. God wants to change our choosing, not just our choices. By aligning our hearts with God's, we will find liberation from the kingdom of self and instead experience the joy of the kingdom of God.

What people are saying

Review: Desiring God's Will: Aligning Our Hearts with the Heart of God

User Review  - Kit - Goodreads

This book spoke to me with every turn of the page. Thanks, Jane, for recommending it!

Review: Desiring God's Will: Aligning Our Hearts with the Heart of God

User Review  - Jason Logue - Goodreads

A simple but pithy approach to seeking God's will in our daily lives. If you are a fan of Brother Lawrence's Practicing the Presence of God, this is a great follow up to that. Benner has some great thoughts and reflections on seeking God every day in everything we do.

Contents

• I: 11
• II: 13
• IV: 17
• V: 33
• VI: 48
• VII: 59
• IX: 76
• X: 92
• XI: 103
• XII: 119
• XIII: 121

About the author

David G. Benner (Ph.D., York University) is Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Spirituality at Richmont Graduate University in Atlanta, Georgia. Previously he was an associate fellow at the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society at University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. A depth psychologist, spiritual director and retreat leader, Benner has written and edited many books, including the Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology and Counseling and Care of Souls. He is the founding executive editor of the journal Conversations.

Green is the author of When the Well Runs Dry and several other books on Christian spirituality.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Desiring God's Will: Aligning Our Hearts with the Heart of God
• Author: David G. Benner
• Contributor: Thomas H. Green, S.J.
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press, 2005
• ISBN: 0830832610, 9780830832613
• Length: 123 pages
• Subjects: Religion / Christian Life / General; Religion / Christian Life / Spiritual Growth; Religion / Christian Ministry / Discipleship; Religion / Spirituality