A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society

Over 300,000 Copies Sold

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 the same 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, and blessing.

This commemorative edition of A Long Obedience in the Same Direction includes a preface taken from Leif Peterson’s eulogy at his father’s memorial service and a bibliography of Peterson’s works. A companion Bible study guide is also available.

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 biblical spiritual formation, including Run with the Horses and Traveling Light.