With an Everlasting Love: Developing an Intimate Relationship with God

What do we want? What does God want? God waits for our friendship. Believers are torn between a desperate thirst for this intimacy and a just-as-desperate fear. Popular writer and acclaimed spiritual director William Barry explores this paradox to help believers get past such obstacles as suffering, anger at God, shame at and sorrow for sin, the dark side of sexuality, fear of God's face, and fear of God's anger. Barry uses Jesus as the way to intimacy with God, reflecting on how Jesus experienced intimacy with his friends, in his ministry, and through his death and resurrection. Barry also deals with how to become closer to the historical Jesus then proposes the Trinity as a model of true intimacy. Drawing heavily from scripture, as well as literature, spiritual classics, and personal examples, this is a work of love, grace, and passion appropriate for all denominations. Christian seekers will be especially moved by it; it's also valuable reading for all clergy and religious, spiritual directors, Christian counselors, and anyone interested in Ignatian spirituality. †

William A. Barry, SJ, is the author of over a dozen books, including God and You, Seek My Face, What Do I Want in Prayer? and Spiritual Direction and the Encounter with God. He has been acclaimed for his work as a spiritual director and trainer of spiritual directors. A former provincial of the New England Province of Jesuits, he is currently co-director of its Tertianship Program. He lives in the Boston area.