Christian Book of the Week
Making Peace With What I Can't Control by Lysa TerKeurst (Thomas Nelson, Sept. 2026)
In her newest book, Lysa TerKeurst takes on the tension between trusting God and trying to manage everything ourselves. She looks at the fears behind control, the difference between healthy responsibility and fear-driven intervention, and how to hand back to God what was always His to carry. If you're a mom who's tired from holding it all together, start here.
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Introduction
Some books change the way you see God, and those books end up changing the way you live. As a mom, author, and podium-finishing triathlete, I've learned that growing in faith takes the same daily, consistent training as a race. These are the Christian books that shaped believers for generations and the ones I keep recommending, from timeless classics on prayer and discipleship to practical reads on motherhood, marriage, and spiritual discipline. Whether you're new to faith or have walked with Jesus for decades, I hope you find your next great read here.
Rebekah's Top 10 Picks
If you only read a few books from this list, start with these. I chose them for moms, for women building strength in body and faith, and for anyone learning to stand firm in who they are in Christ.
1. The Growing Christian by Rebekah Van Natta
My own book: a practical, Scripture-centered guide for anyone who wants to grow in faith day by day. Spiritual growth takes training, and this is where I'd start.
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2. Risen Motherhood by Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler
A must for moms who want to connect their Sunday faith to the everyday moments of motherhood, from mealtimes to how they see their postpartum body.
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3. Missional Motherhood by Gloria Furman
For every mom who has wondered whether the diapers and dishes really matter. This book shows how motherhood fits into God's bigger story.
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4. Loving the Little Years by Rachel Jankovic
Short, honest, and funny encouragement for moms in the trenches with little ones. Perfect for reading in five-minute pockets.
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5. Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst
A great pick for women who want to bring their health goals and their faith together, so their cravings point them back to God.
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6. Every Body Matters by Gary Thomas
A strong case that caring for your body is part of serving God well. I'd hand this to any mom rebuilding her strength.
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7. Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst
For anyone who has felt left out or less than. It's a powerful reminder that your identity is secure in God's love.
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8. The Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer
A practical Bible study on spiritual warfare that helps women pray with purpose and stand firm, one piece of armor at a time.
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9. Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer
A classic for anyone who battles anxious or negative thoughts. It shows how to win the war in your mind with God's Word.
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10. Victory Over the Darkness by Neil T. Anderson
A foundational book on knowing who you are in Christ and standing against the enemy's lies. Identity and spiritual warfare in one.
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Top 53 Christian Books to Read
1. The Growing Christian by Rebekah Van Natta
A practical, Scripture-centered guide to growing in faith day by day, written by a mom and podium-finishing triathlete who knows that spiritual growth takes training, too.
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2. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Lewis's classic case for the Christian faith, adapted from his WWII radio talks, is still one of the clearest explanations of what Christians believe and why.
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3. The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer
A short, searching call to hunger for God Himself rather than settling for religion about Him.
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4. My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
The beloved daily devotional, compiled from Chambers's teaching, that has challenged readers to full surrender to God for nearly a century.
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5. The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Bonhoeffer's powerful contrast between "cheap grace" and the costly grace of following Jesus, written by a pastor who later died resisting the Nazis.
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6. Knowing God by J.I. Packer
A rich, readable study of God's character showing why knowing God, not just knowing about Him, is the point of the Christian life.
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7. The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom (with John and Elizabeth Sherrill)
Corrie ten Boom's true story of hiding Jews during WWII, surviving a concentration camp, and learning to forgive.
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8. Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster
A modern classic on the spiritual disciplines, like prayer, fasting, study, and simplicity, as paths to inner transformation.
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9. The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
A 40-day journey through the question "What on earth am I here for?" that became one of the bestselling nonfiction books ever.
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10. Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
A bestselling devotional written as short daily messages of encouragement drawn from Scripture.
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11. The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
Satirical letters from a senior demon to his nephew that shed surprising light on temptation and spiritual warfare.
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12. Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
Bunyan's 17th-century allegory of Christian's journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, one of the most-read books in English.
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13. Crazy Love by Francis Chan
A wake-up call to answer God's overwhelming love with wholehearted, uncomfortable obedience.
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14. Radical by David Platt
Platt challenges believers to take back their faith from the American Dream and live sacrificially for the gospel.
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15. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
A practical look at how hurry erodes our souls and how the practices of Jesus help us slow down and stay present with God.
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16. Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
A guide to apprenticeship to Jesus through a "rule of life": being with Him, becoming like Him, and doing as He did.
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17. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney
A biblical, practical handbook on the habits that train believers toward godliness. Think of it as a training plan for the soul.
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18. Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes
A guide for women to the disciplines of soul, mind, body, and relationships that shape a God-honoring life.
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19. Every Body Matters by Gary Thomas
Thomas makes the case that caring for our physical bodies is a spiritual act that strengthens our ability to serve God.
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20. Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst
TerKeurst helps women see that cravings are meant to lead us to God and offers a faith-based approach to healthy eating.
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21. Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst
An honest look at rejection and loneliness, pointing readers to their secure identity in God's love.
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22. After Baby Comes by Rachel Taylor
TerKeurst's 2026 release on the line between healthy responsibility and fear-driven control, and on handing God what was always His to carry.
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23. Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer
Meyer's bestseller on winning the war in your thoughts by renewing your mind with God's Word.
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24. Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen
Using 2 Corinthians 10:5, Allen shows how taking thoughts captive can break spirals of toxic thinking.
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25. Love Does by Bob Goff
Whimsical true stories showing that faith is best expressed through love in action.
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26. The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
A former atheist journalist investigates the historical evidence for Jesus and becomes a believer.
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27. The Reason for God by Timothy Keller
Keller engages thoughtfully with skeptics' biggest objections to Christianity.
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28. The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller
A fresh reading of the parable of the prodigal son that reveals the reckless grace of God toward rebels and rule-keepers alike.
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29. Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund
A moving study of the heart of Christ toward sinners and sufferers, drawn from Scripture and the Puritans.
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30. Desiring God by John Piper
Piper's foundational book on "Christian hedonism": God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.
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31. Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper
A short, urgent call to spend your one life magnifying Christ.
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32. The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
Timeless reflections from a 17th-century monk on finding communion with God in everyday tasks, even washing dishes.
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33. Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard
An allegory of Much-Afraid's journey with the Shepherd to the High Places, a favorite for anyone learning to trust God through hardship.
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34. Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning
Manning explores trusting God's love even when life doesn't make sense.
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35. The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
A grace-soaked reminder that God's love is for the weary, the broken, and the burnt-out.
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36. Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
A biblical guide to knowing when to say yes, when to say no, and how to take control of your life.
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37. The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
Chapman's perennial bestseller on how people give and receive love, a staple for strengthening marriage.
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38. Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
Thomas asks: what if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?
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39. Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp
A gospel-centered parenting classic focused on reaching the heart behind a child's behavior.
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40. A Mom Is Born by Rachael Hunt Elmore
Reflections for mothers on making room for simplicity, quiet, and wonder in family life.
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41. Loving the Little Years by Rachel Jankovic
Short, honest, funny encouragement for moms in the trenches with young children.
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42. Missional Motherhood by Gloria Furman
Furman shows how motherhood fits into God's big story of redemption.
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43. Cradled by Annie VanderHeiden
Comfort and biblical hope for couples walking through infertility, miscarriage, or adoption loss.
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44. Overwhelmed Mom by Jamie Erickson
Clarkson's encouragement for mothers to follow God's design for nurturing their children's hearts.
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45. Seamless by Angie Smith
A visual, accessible overview of how the whole Bible fits together as one story.
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46. Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist
A personal story about leaving behind busyness and perfectionism for a simpler, more soulful life.
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47. One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
Voskamp's invitation to live fully by giving thanks, as she counts a thousand gifts in ordinary days.
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48. Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado
Lucado unpacks Philippians 4 to help readers find calm in a chaotic world.
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49. You Are Never Alone by Max Lucado
Lucado's look at the miracles and moments in John's Gospel when Jesus met people in their pain.
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50. Humble Moms by Kristen Wetherell
The Super Bowl-winning coach's #1 New York Times bestselling memoir on the principles, practices, and priorities of a winning life built on faith. A great pick for athletes.
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51. Gospel Mom by Emily A. Jensen and Laura Wifler
Dungy's guide to building a life of significance through faith, integrity, and character.
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52. Run Today's Race by Oswald Chambers
Short, punchy daily readings from Chambers on running the Christian life with perseverance and focus.
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53. Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God by Timothy Keller
Keller's thorough, practical book on why and how to pray, drawing on Augustine, Luther, and Calvin.
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Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Book descriptions are my own summaries.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.