Dear friend,

There are some books that find you exactly when you need them. Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer was one of those books for me. Goodreads recommended it at a time when I was actively looking for something spiritually grounding—something practical, something honest, something that could guide me into deeper discipleship. I had already been listening to John Mark Comer’s podcast on Spotify and found his voice refreshingly clear in a noisy world: biblical, theological, but always honest, always rooted in real life. When I learned that he had a new book out, I instantly knew I wanted to read it.

And now, after finishing it, I can honestly say that this book didn’t just “help” me—it awakened something in me. It stirred a desire to seek God deeper in prayer, to understand what it means to be a servant, and to step fully into the calling God has placed over my life. Isaiah 41:9 says that God has called us to be His servant, and those words have been echoing in my heart. This book arrived as a confirmation of that calling.

Going into the book, I expected something practical, and it absolutely was. But what surprised me was how profoundly simple and life-altering it felt. John Mark Comer doesn’t write about Christianity as a religion to follow. He writes about following Jesus as a lifestyle. That distinction—between following a religion about Jesus and actually following the life of Jesus—was really a good reminder.

The book is structured around three movements:

1. Be with Jesus
2. Become like Him
3. Do as He did

They are not steps, not a checklist, not a formula. Instead, as Comer puts so beautifully, “It is not a program but a progression.” This progression mirrors the stories of Jesus’s original disciples, who spent years sitting at His feet, slowly becoming like Him, and eventually being sent out to preach. There’s something reassuring about that slowness. Something very human. Something very possible.

1. Intentionality

All three movements are powerful, but the one that struck me the deepest was the last part, “Do as He Did.” Maybe it’s because I have been praying about what it means to be a servant of God. Maybe it’s because I’ve felt this calling for years: to serve God wholeheartedly through my work, through my relationships, through the way I live.

This section reminded me that following Jesus is not passive. It’s active, intentional, and often slow—but it moves. It grows. It stretches.

Comer writes:

“There are no accidental saints. You can’t just slip your hand up at the end of a sermon. It will require you to reorder your entire life around following Jesus as your undisputed top priority, over your job, your money, your reputation—over everything.”

This quote hits me with both discomfort and excitement. It reminds me that following Jesus requires a reordering, not a light adjustment. It’s a calling that reaches into every corner of my life.

But the beauty is that nothing is lost—everything finds its rightful place once integrated into a life of apprenticeship. That is the invitation of discipleship.

2. Prayer

Secondly, this book made me more excited about prayer than I have ever been. Not prayer as obligation, not prayer as a morning routine, not prayer as a list of requests—but prayer as the heartbeat of life with God. Prayer as the source of power. Prayer as the posture of a servant. Prayer as the breath of the soul.

Comer shares how Christians throughout history have described this kind of prayer—from the Quakers’ “centering down” to Brother Lawrence’s “practice of the presence of God,” which is my favorite. The message is clear: a life of continuous communion with God is possible. It is real, and it is transformative.

Since reading the book, my days have started to orbit around prayer in a new way. I begin my mornings in prayer; in the afternoons, even while teaching, and; at night, before I go to bed. This book didn’t just teach me about prayer—it reignited my desire to live a life deeply saturated in it.

3. Apprenticeship

Thirdly, Comer explains that apprenticeship means to stay close to the Teacher, to absorb His rhythms, to allow His life to shape my habits, and to be formed slowly and intentionally. In other words, it is the opposite of striving, the opposite of self-dependence.

To be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure what true discipleship meant before reading this book. I had a vague mental picture—something about following Jesus, something about living a good life, something about obedience. But the idea of apprenticing under Jesus? That reframed everything for me.

And here is the part that reminded me with joy: Jesus has sent us the Holy Spirit so we can apprentice under Him even now. We’re not doing this alone. We’re not expected to become like Jesus by human effort. The Spirit empowers us and transforms us, sometimes gently, sometimes painfully, but always faithfully.

Slow, Deep Changes

All in all, after closing the book, these are some ideas that stayed with me with absolute clarity. One of the core ideas I keep returning to is that change is slow. And that’s okay. It doesn’t mean God isn’t working. It means growth is happening under the surface, the way roots grow before they ever break through the soil. Second, prayer is power. Prayer is where transformation begins. It is communion, not obligation. Third, the Holy Spirit is the one who empowers us to apprentice under Jesus. We are not copying Jesus by our strength—we are being formed by His Spirit. Fourth, perseverance matters. It takes spiritual disciplines—not as burdens but as pathways to freedom. Apprenticeship is long-term, but every small step toward Jesus reshapes something inside us. And yet, even in the slowness, this process is deeply fulfilling, deeply satisfying to the soul.

Takeaways

If I had to summarize Practicing the Way in one sentence, it would be this:

Becoming like Jesus is satisfying to the soul—and we get there through prayer.

This is a book I know I will return to in future seasons, especially in moments when I feel spiritually dry, lazy, or disconnected. It was the kind of book that has recentered me and recalibrated me. It reminded me that following Jesus is not about performance; it’s about presence. It’s about love. It’s about relationship.

One of the reasons this book felt so alive is because Comer writes the way he speaks—very conversational, very grounded, and very human. Reading this book felt like sitting across from him during a sermon, hearing him unpack Scripture with wisdom and compassion but without the heaviness of academic language. He translates biblical principles into modern life effortlessly.

That said, I think this book is best for mature believers or believers who are actively seeking more of Jesus. It’s not that beginners can’t enjoy it, but some parts might feel overwhelming or “too much” if someone hasn’t yet understood the depth of God’s love and desire for relationship. This book requires willingness—a heart that longs for Jesus more than information about Him.

Final Thoughts

Reading Practicing the Way made me excited to pursue Jesus more intentionally—not with pressure, but with hope. It reminded me that apprenticeship requires training, will, and purpose, but the journey is beautiful because the One we’re apprenticing under is gentle and humble in heart.

Friend, if you are in a season of longing for depth, wanting to walk closely with Jesus, desiring a lifestyle shaped around Him rather than a distant religious idea—this book is for you. And if you’re in a season of seeking, of wanting to understand what a servant of God truly is, this book will speak to that longing too. Because apprenticing under Jesus is not about striving—it’s about staying close. And from that closeness, everything else flows.

Jesus,
Thank You for
inviting us to be with You,
to become like You,
and to do as You did.
Teach me what it means
to walk as Your apprentice—
one who follows closely, listens
intently, and obeys willingly.

Lord, form in me a heart
that delights in prayer,
not as routine
but as communion.
Help me practice
Your presence
in every morning,
afternoon, and night,
so that my spirit
stays tender to Your voice.

Holy Spirit, help me
live out my calling
with humility and joy.
May I serve others
as You have served others.
And may every breath,
every step, every prayer
bring me closer to You.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.