Nearing a Far God: Praying the Psalms with Our Whole Selves

by Leslie Leyland Fields

Experience Transformation When You Pray the Psalms with Your Whole Self

Feeling hopeless? Lonely? Anxious? Do you want to experience the presence and love of God through every joy and struggle of life? Do you long to enrich your prayer life and grow your relationship with God? The Psalms will guide you into fresh encounters and a lasting deeper attachment to God.

You may have read or studied the Psalms. In Nearing a Far Praying the Psalms with Our Whole Selves, you’ll experience the Psalms in fresh, personal, and life-changing how the Psalms can draw you into dialogue with God no matter your pain, struggle, or doubtPractice transformative writing and prayer exercises that engage and impact the whole brain and the whole selfReclaim ancient practices of movement and bodily postures to heighten your worship and deepen attachment to GodMasterful teacher and award-winning author Leslie Leyland Fields has helped thousands of God-seekers around the world experience spiritual breakthroughs by expressing their life stories through the lens of Scripture. Whether you read and practice Nearing a Far God on your own, with a local group, or with a cohort organized by Fields, you too can experience profound change, hope, and the always near presence of a loving God.

Genres: Christian, Prayer, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Spirituality

199 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 19, 2024

About the author

When you see her, Leslie may be wearing a silk dress and fishnets or wearing Xtra-Tuff boots and mending fishing nets, depending on whether she’s at her fishcamp in the Alaska wilderness or on a speaking tour “Outside.” She’s happy in both places talking about the books, places and topics that move her most.

She's the multi-award winning author of 12 books, with her 12th forthcoming in April, 2020. (Your Story Matters) Her list includes Crossing the Waters: Following Jesus through the Storms, the Fish, the Doubt and the Seas; Forgiving Our Fathers and Mothers; The Spirit of Food: 34 Writers on Feasting and Fasting Toward God (Cascade), Surviving the Island of Grace: A Life on the Wild Edge of America (Thomas Dunne), and Parenting is Your Highest Calling . . . and Eight Other Myths That Trap Us in Worry and Guilt (Waterbrook), and five others. Her essays have won a number of awards and have appeared in The Atlantic Monthly, Christianity Today, Beliefnet, Books and Culture, Orion, etc. She takes on garbage, a theology of the body, culture-making, motherhood, narrative theology and points between and beyond. Her essays have won Pushcart nominations, the William Wilberforce Award and the Virginia Faulkner Award.

“As much as I love words on the page, I’m not fully satisfied until I get to speak them in person with others,” Leslie adds. She says she’s honored to travel and share from her passions nationally and internationally at conferences, universities, churches and retreats. With three master’s degrees, she has taught collegiate and undergraduate classes for many years, including six years in Seattle Pacific University’s MFA program. If she can’t see her audience, radio is a good second. She has appeared on more than 150 radio shows including Family Life Today, Prime Time America, Keepin' the Faith, Chris Fabry Live!

Leslie blogs at www.leslieleylandfields.com about life in her house, in the wild and on the road. She lives in Kodiak, Alaska with her husband and two teens. In the summer, her four older children return to their fishcamp island where cell phones don’t work, and where they all happily (sometimes) work together in commercial salmon fishing. You can reach her at leslieleylandfields@gmail.com

Reviews

[Jeannette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book you read slow. With patience, so you can savor every word. I have been a long time follower of Leslie. I just love the way she weaves her story into the scriptures so we can make sense of it. I love that she invites us to write and to reflect on what the Psalms mean to us so it can hit the heart level. I got an advanced reader copy but I cannot wait to get my hands on the real book.

[Kathy Essig · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment I picked up this book, I could identify with the authors writing. In the introduction the author struggled with the concept of humility versus humiliation, the vastness of God, the nearness of God, where her prayers were going in the universe and remembering the nearness of GOD. I am so excited to continue to dive into this book deeper. I feel the longing of my own heart to delve deeper. I feel radical transformation coming to my own life. This author is real, she is vulnerable and has laid it out in a way that many will identify with. I give this book my full support and my heart. ❤️

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful gift to yourself and others! For those who have difficulty in the Psalms it will give you a joyful appreciation, a new perspective on prayer & will bring you into a more intimate relationship with your God. For those who love the Psalms already, it will enrich your engagement with God. It will give you new language to pray and a new way to engage in dialogue with a God who loves you. Leslie Leyland Fields’ book, “Nearing a Far God, Praying the Psalms with our whole selves “ shows us that the Psalms can build a linguistic bridge from the trouble we experience to the God who is near and ready to help. It guides us in how to call out to him if we don’t know or believe He is near.

The Psalms were not my favorite book, to be honest, but after reading this book, I now have a love & new appreciation for them, looking forward to delving into one of the psalms daily, to meditate on it, write it out, identify personally, and pray it or write into it as it relates to me. Leslie takes us through the psalms in a novel & inspirational manner, mixing in her own stories to help you identify situations where you might need to cry out to your Lord. She also gives an exercise in how to express your psalm-prayer to engage with your whole self, heart, mind, body & soul. I promise you your prayer life will come alive!

[Janet Pantaleo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timing is everything! I didn’t know I needed this book until I started reading it. Leslie pulls me into each Psalm with her personal testimony…she is authentic and relatable….something I don’t always find in bible study. No doubt my life will be transformed by the last page👏👏Highly recommend for anyone interested in a ‘closer’ relationship to God.

[Teena D Lykins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was able to read this book before the official release which was exciting to me since I enjoy this author. The book was fabulous. I really enjoyed how she took the Psalms, explained the content, shared her own story then gave instruction on how to use the Psalms as prayer and worship in our own daily lives. The Psalms have always been a source of comfort to me in times of trouble so I knew this book was going to resonate with me. If you want to expand your quiet time this is a great book to add to your routine.

[Lee Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the whole self approach to nearing closer to God through the Psalms. This book is one of a kind; integrating the soul, mind, body and spirit in such a way that it enables the reader to walk in the Psalmist’s foot steps through the darkest hours and still find rest for the soul knowing the LORD will be faithful to protect and comfort us. Nearing a Far God brings the Psalms to life with the author’s own experiences woven throughout the Psalm excerpts.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Nearing a Far God; Praying the Psalms with Our Whole Selves" provides in-depth reading that is relatable to our everyday lives. Complete the journal and answer questions posed for the best reading experience. Spend time with this book, allowing for reflection and devotional activity. Leslie Leyland Fields' writing style is easy to read and contains deep, rich content for spiritual activity and growth.

[Delores Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dynamic, interesting read. Leslie never disappoints. She shares stories of her life and struggles and demonstrates how to use the Psalms to connect with God in real and satisfying ways. Reading, writing, personalizing, using the whole brain and body to experience connection with the Father. Incredible experiential growth in relationship to Father God. Comfort, peace and basking in the presence of our God await.

[Jenny De · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very inspiring, interactive and takes me into a deeper relationship with God my Father. It is a book you don't just read once. It will become a daily tool for me to come into a deeper understanding of who God is.

I am still reading this beautifully inspiring book. I can see this will be my go to book on a regular basis. Leslie skilfully takes us on a journey and her depth of Biblical understanding makes you feel safe on the journey.

Just finished reading this amazing book. Thank you Leslie for allowing God to grow you during your journey, so that you are now able to share your experiences with us. I have loved taking a quick read through this book. Now I am looking forward to really reading it interactively. Leslie’s experiences have taken her into a deep intimate relationship with God, as she has prayed into the Psalms from her own life experiences. In this book, she leads us through the process of making the Psalms our own as we reach out to a God that may seem so far away at times on our journey of life. I thoroughly recommend this book to everyone who wants to find God, or know Him more intimately in their journey of life.

[Dena McGoldrick Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gem and worth owning your own copy. The author's goal is clear: she wants her book to be actively integrated so that the reader can participate in embodying the Psalms as personal prayers. She uses an acronym for how to do so, and each chapter presents it for a different type of Psalm. She shares snippets from her rich and complex life and examples from others she's taught at her workshops. She is honest, personal, and biblical; I see great value in her wisdom. I intended to read this slowly and do all the suggested assignments, but I ended up just reading with plans to use it in my studies soon.

[Ella Edelman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful reflection on the psalms as a collection of prayers for every moment and need that is at once a handbook for experiencing them more fully and a story of how individual psalms in every genre from lament to rejoicing have met and shaped the author at pivotal moments in her life. I thought this blend of storytelling and invitation to interact with the psalms more deeply was seamless and compelling and successful in making me want to put some of her ideas and prompts into use in my own devotional life.

[Carol Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is truly a must-read and then read again! Hundreds upon hundreds of books have been written on the Psalms, but this one is unique. I was immediately drawn in by the author's wrenchingly honest personal stories in each chapter and how she linked her experiences to various Psalms, something not found in other Psalms books. Also unlike other Psalms books, this one offers the reader the opportunity to engage with scripture in multiple ways, all of which are designed to bring us closer to the God who loves us more than we can imagine and to bring His Word to blazing life in our hearts. Once you begin interacting with the Psalms, you'll never read them the same way again! Nearing a Far God shows in living color how "The word of God is living and active." (Heb. 4:12a)

[Mylinda B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is NOT just another Christian book written about the Psalms! Never before have I read a book that actually TEACHES and EXPLAINS how to deepen my prayer life and explore the Psalms In such an easy to understand and follow way. With the authors own personal journey woven through out this book is one to read over and over again.

[Tammie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, perfect for self-study or small group, Leslie provides details and Biblical background that helps you understand more fully what the Psalmist was facing when the words were penned. We all search for others to connect with and the personal stories Leslie shares are relatable, meaningful, and purposeful. This is one you will want to savor. Have your Bible, pen and journal and prepare to draw near to God with your whole body, heart and soul.

[Linda Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you ready for a story-based, whole-brained, whole-person engagement new way of experiencing the Psalms? Leslie Leyland Fields’ Nearing A Far God, praying the psalms with our whole selves calls the reader to interactive encounters with God as one practices Fields’ strategy of diving into a study of the Psalms of David. This book connects us with God anywhere whether we are personally experiencing a time of lament, warfare, or victory. The reader is asked to: Notate, write out original psalm; Express, engage all the senses with voice and body gestures to feel the words; Amplify, meditate, add reactions to the words; Read different Bible versions of the chapter being studied; Identify, personalize the psalm by writing yourself into the message of each psalm; New Testament, pull out New Testament verses that relate to each passage; Gather, be a kingdom connector by bringing others with you to read Leslie’s stories and have psalm-prayer worship in your faith community. We are called to look back and discover ways God has been present throughout the ups and downs of our lives. It encourages us to call him into our difficult present, to find rest in his promises. This book underlines the sense that God makes us enough. May we believe it and live it. It brings us into holy dialogue with the living God. He is tender with us as we approach Him.

[Michele Morin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve prayed my way through the Psalms before, but never with the level of focused engagement Nearing a Far God initiates and demonstrates. Leslie Leyland Fields invites her readers into a meaningful practice of reading, praying, and writing that was instrumental in carrying her through a time when she desperately needed to hear the voice of God and to believe he was tuned in to the sound of her voice.

Praying the Psalms with her whole self, Fields learned that God is neither silent nor distant. Beginning with borrowed words, she wrote her own heart’s cry, her questions, and her discouragement.

The language of lament she found in the ancient prayer songs primed the well of her own feelings, and twenty years later, she is teaching others to experience the Psalms in this life-altering way. I’ve read almost everything Leslie Leyland Fields has written, and this latest offering stands out with its powerful weaving of the story of her rough childhood into the gold of intimacy with a God who understands and is deeply interested and invested in our lives.

Many thanks for NavPress and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.

[Debbie Boulware · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Nearing A Far God" offers an incredible invitation to enter into an honest conversation with our holy God. In the Psalms, the writers model the intimacy God desires, and through Leslie's words, we learn how to grasp and truly practice it.

I will refer to this book over and over again, as I continue to align my heart with His. Leslie possesses the gift of storytelling, transparently sharing her own journey, and combines it with a solid, theological teaching of one of the most complex books of the Bible.

We not only have a better understanding of Scripture, but we are equipped with a life-changing road map that takes our relationship with God to a whole new destination.

The Psalms give us permission to express our deepest emotions: our greatest fears, failures and pain alongside shouts of joy and hope. We enter into, as Leslie writes: "holy conversation with a Father who longs to dwell as near to us as our next breath".

God speaks to us through His Word. "The Psalms show us that He invites us and even inspires us to speak back."

[Sherry Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nearing a Far God: Praying the Psalms with Our Whole Selves is a gem. Leslie Leyland Fields is a prolific writer and I look forward to every book she writes. The writing is fresh and engaging, helping me to study the psalms of the Bible from several perspectives including my own, leading to a closer relationship with God. Encouraged by Leslie in a prior study, I started a notebook where I wrote out the psalms and drew pictures to indicate takeaways. I began a new chapter in my notebook to align with Nearing a Far God and look forward to expressing my deepening faith through the book exercises. Leslie is gifted and generous in sharing her gifts with her readers. I’m excited to continue on this journey of a closer walk with God through Leslie’s latest relationship masterpiece. #nearingafargod

[Lindsey G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book because it brings two of my favourite worlds together - Scripture and writing. Leslie weaves engaging storytelling, rich biblical insight, and holistic exercises into one beautiful experience of the Psalms. She shows us what it looks like to truly live out these prayers over the course of a lifetime. This book is an invitation to embrace God with our whole selves and find he is not so far off after all.

"Each prayer forges a way through silence and the fractures of the world, returning to and beholding the reign of Yahweh over my life and being, over all things." (From the Epilogue)

In each chapter, Leslie shares part of her own story, expands our understanding of the Psalms, and gives practical suggestions for drawing near to God through a variety of transformative exercises. Her treatment of the Psalms is engagingly personal, solidly biblical, and deeply invitational.

[MariMar Covarrubias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I wouldn't necessarily describe myself as a deeply religious person, I strongly believe in a higher power. For those seeking a rich, meaningful, and inspiring encounter with the Psalms, I highly recommend exploring Leslie Leyland Fields' new book, Nearing A Far God. As a gifted educator, Fields draws from her own life experiences to vividly illustrate the transformative power of prayer and the presence of divinity within us. With her innovative approach to prayer, she offers effective techniques that engage both hemispheres of the brain, leading to a deeper and more fulfilling experience. I am certain that reading this book will bring you a sense of delight, wonder, and spiritual enrichment.

[Jenn Cofer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming from a past where emotions, tears, feelings were not validated but looked down upon, it can feel awkward to express my raw feelings & emotions in response to a Psalm. But I am discovering that when I bring all of me (the good, the bad and the ugly) to God, particularly by putting my heart into words on paper, He comes near. This is my experience as I read Leslie's book and apply the steps she gives in her book, Nearing a Far God. Using the Psalms, the author shows a way to connect with God beyond head knowledge, to welcome Him into my today and to invite Him into my past, to worship and pray in a new way. This has been deeply impactful . The author has inspired me, inviting me into a dynamic, practical way of connecting with God.

[Maureen Elwyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you, like I, have often wondered if God really hears my prayers, this is the book for you. Leslie Leyland Fields will guide you through praying the Psalms using narrative, writing, and whole-body movement - a unique holistic approach. Leslie's personal stories drew me in, but entering the Psalms through my own words and cries kept me there. This book is easy to read, and narrative based. Personal and relatable, it will lead you from approaching God with head knowledge to talking to your loving father via heart knowledge. Perfect for both you and your study group, this book of praying the Psalms will bring you closer to the One who invited us to talk to Him, who listens, and who talks to us in return.

[Carole Duff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leslie Leyland Fields—a storyteller and memoirist—brings her personal story into an interactive study of the Psalms and shows her readers how to do the same. She provides a “nearing” model: Notate, Express, Amplify, Read, Identify, New Testament, Gather. To lament (a third of the Psalms), ask for wisdom, trust (Psalm 23), confess, give thanks, offer praise, and more through words and physical movement and expression. To love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Highly recommended for personal or group study.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a breath of fresh air from a gifted author and a Divine God! I am still reading through it, but have been captivated and am enjoying the journey that is unfolding with every page. It contains brilliant heartfelt storytelling, is biblically sound, and provides clear meaningful heartwork to help us love and surrender to God with all that we are! I consider myself pretty "math brained" and I am learning how to tap into my creative side that I didn't even know existed! Can't wait to work through this book as a group study!

[Tristi Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Nearing a far God, we are invited to personalize the Psalms and respond to our Heavenly Father's unconditional love and invitation to us with our entire beings. Leslie shares glimpses of her own life throughout the book stirring our own memories and inspiring us to align our lives with God’s story. She encourages us to utilize new practices to engage deeper with God through the words of the Psalms which resonate so powerfully because they speak the stories of our hearts. I highly recommend this book!

[Joan Mcpheron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nearing a Far God is written in the beautiful poetic language that author Leslie Leyland Fields has mastered. I find the book not a Bible study of the Psalms as much as a book that nudges one to dive into and experience the Psalms. When Leslie shares from her personal struggles it makes the book more authentic and shares hope to each of us as we strive to find God in this life.
The Read, Notate, Amplify and Express sections at the end of each chapter make this an ideal book to use in a small group setting.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leslie Leyland Fields inspires and encourages me to dig deep into the Psalms, turning to God with ALL my feelings and with my whole self. I have read the Psalms many times in my life, but with this reading, I am gaining more understanding of myself and of David, the writer of most of the Psalms. Nearing a Far God is drawing me in, and in the process, I am becoming more willing to open my heart to feelings that have been hard to express to God.

[Lynne Hartke · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who is only now realizing the importance of including my entire self in the reading of scriptures--my left-brained, rational self AND my right-brained emotional and relational self, I am finding fresh breath and insights in the reading of my favorite Bible book--the Psalms. Leslie invites the reader into the pages with warmth and wisdom, inviting us all to discover God again in the pages.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leslie is an amazing storyteller/teacher whose writing is honest and raw, while both insightful and beautiful. I was challenged to move from a head-knowledge of God to a heart-and-soul encounter with Him. This unique, interactive study teaches how to have a “holy dialogue with God.” I found the exercises at the end of each chapter helpful to engage my whole self (mind, soul, and body) while studying the Psalms. After reading this book, the Psalms have taken on a whole new meaning.

[KathleenHoneycutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Currently reading......Each chapter draws my heart deeper and deeper into God's word and knowing His heart. The author writes honestly and shares the pain and joy of her life in a way I can relate to. Each chapter guides the reader into a more intimate relationship with their Creator and Savior. Don't wait to get your copy. Worth your time and money.