Sanctuary of the Soul

Richard Foster's Sanctuary of the Soul emerged from his decades of teaching and writing on spiritual disciplines, representing a mature synthesis of his understanding of prayer as the central practice of Christian formation. Writing in 2011, Foster drew upon his extensive work with Renovaré and his influence in the broader spiritual formation movement to offer what he considered his most comprehensive treatment of prayer. The book arose from Foster's conviction that contemporary Christians needed both practical guidance and theological grounding to develop a sustainable life of prayer.

Foster organizes prayer into what he calls "twenty-one windows," each representing a distinct form or approach to prayer drawn from across Christian tradition. He moves through simple prayer, prayer of the forsaken, prayer of examen, contemplative prayer, praying the ordinary, the prayer of tears, and others, treating each as a legitimate pathway into communion with God. Rather than prescribing a single method, Foster argues that different temperaments, life circumstances, and seasons of faith call for different approaches to prayer. He grounds each form in Scripture and Christian tradition while offering concrete practices and examples. The work integrates insights from Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions, reflecting Foster's commitment to learning from the whole of Christian heritage.

The book has served as both an introduction to prayer for newcomers and a comprehensive reference for experienced practitioners. Foster's ecumenical approach and pastoral tone have made it accessible across denominational boundaries, while his scholarly grounding has given it credibility in academic and formation contexts. The "windows" metaphor has proven particularly influential, offering people permission to experiment with unfamiliar forms of prayer without abandoning their existing practice.

Who should read this: Those seeking a comprehensive, ecumenically-minded guide to Christian prayer traditions will find this invaluable, as will spiritual directors and formation leaders looking for a resource that honors diverse approaches. This is not for readers seeking either a single prescribed method or a purely academic treatment of prayer.