This bold book is about changing the life of American society, from the inside out, through the 'source action' of prayer. 'I have written a book for Christians,' says Eugene Peterson, 'who want to do something about what is wrong with America and want to plunge into the center, not tinker at the edge. I have chosen eleven psalms that shaped the politics of Israel and can shape the politics of America, and I have taken them seriously...I have written to encourage Christians to pray them both as children of God with eternal destinies and as American citizens with daily responsibilities in caring for our nation.' Peterson is concerned with the 'unselfing' of our self-preoccupied, self-bound society through the action of praying together with other believers. His insightful and personally challenging reflections on eleven select psalm-prayers gathered here---together with relevant quotes from a wide spectrum of writers---can help us overcome such things as self-centeredness, self-assertiveness, self-righteousness, self-sufficiency, self-pity, self-service, and self-love. Originally published under the title Earth and Altar, Where Your Treasure Is provides solid fare for any thoughtful, concerned Christian. But the book is especially suitable for group study and discussion: what Peterson writes here will serve to stir small groups of Christians to pointed reflection and prayer-action. |
