The President's Devotional: The Daily Readings That Inspired President Obama

by Joshua DuBois

Overview

The President's Devotional lets you start each day with the words that have inspired President Barack Obama, collected by Joshua DuBois, President Obama's "Pastor-in-Chief" (Time magazine)—his spiritual advisor who also served as the executive director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

Every day, DuBois provided President Obama with a morning devotional weaving together scripture, song, prayer, and reflections, motivated by the spirit of God and infused with joyful flair. The President’s Devotional contains the best of these devotionals, daily spiritual guidance that offer peace, comfort, and inspiration throughout the entire year. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062278647
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	10/22/2013
Edition description:	Large Print
Pages:	704
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.60(d)

About the Author

Joshua Dubois was executive director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships during President Obama’s first term. His work has been profiled in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and on CNN. He now writes a column for The Daily Beast and teaches at Princeton University. DuBois is the founder of Values Partnerships.

Editorial Reviews

The religious practice of President Obama…is in the spotlight thanks to a new book about his prayer life by his former staff member Joshua DuBois. In The Presidents Devotional, DuBois compiles the prayers and bits of Scripture and inspiration that he has been e–mailing the president every morning.

USA Today

Churchgoers across the nation are snapping up Joshua DuBois’ new book, The President’s Devotional in which he details 365 of the most compelling inspirational messages he sent daily to President Barack Obama over a six year period.

Chicago Sun-Times

A special book, with the thread of spirituality drawing the reader in, the author shares insight into many of the trying times and difficult events in Obama’s first administration. . . . This will be a sensational gift book for special holidays.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

The administration’s go-to guy for almost all things religious.

Christianity Today

Obama has often mentioned the inspiration he finds in DuBois’ daily Scripture e-mails, making the faith-based office director an informal spiritual adviser to the president.

Washington Post

It’s absolutely essential all leaders receive daily direction, spiritual guidance, and soul-nourishing input from God’s Word. Having served at the center of American government, Joshua understands better than many how draining leadership can be, and how we must refresh ourselves daily through time with God, thinking about eternal truths.

Rick Warren

Every morning [Joshua] sends me via e-mail a daily meditation. A snippet of Scripture for me to reflect on, and it has meant the world to me.

President Barack Obama

DuBois’s devotions draw the reader closer to the heart of God and help us to see things God’s way before the world begins to knock on the door of our hearts. These prophetic and powerful pathways into the heart of God will prepare you to meet whatever the day brings.

Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie

365 daily lessons containing spiritual and moral guidance appropriate for both gifted world leaders and ordinary people…best savored one day at a time.

Booklist

One of the most rewarding reads of The President’s Devotional comes at the beginning of each month when DuBois offers memories of specific moments during his time at the White House…These devotionals make clear DuBois has been the president’s most consistent spiritual advisor—a role he takes seriously.

Paul Brandeis Raushenbush

[DuBois has] earned the respect of many who work at the intersection of faith and politics.

Huffington Post

With this book, Joshua DuBois reveals the private strength behind the public story, the pursuit of God from the highest office. These words, drawn from ancient texts and trusted leaders, distill rare, urgent counsel during an age when we’ve never needed wisdom more.

Stephan Bauman

Where does the President look for wisdom? My friend Joshua DuBois provided President Obama a daily dose of Old and New Testament wisdom. With The President’s Devotional, the rest of us have access to the devotions and meditations Joshua supplied to the President. What a treasure!

Andy Stanley

This beautiful book of devotionals encourages us to take time for prayer and reflection. We faithfully read it every day, we drink in the text, and it quenches our thirst. This devotional strengthens and inspires us, and most importantly reminds us to trust God in every area of our lives.

Mark Burnett and Roma Downey

Whatever else history records of Obama’s years in the White House, it must include that this president was offered a type of spiritual nurture unique among America’s chief executives—customized devotionals delivered daily. Thanks to DuBois, we too can be instructed and inspired by words intended to sustain a president.

Stephen Mansfield

No matter how busy and stressed you are; you’re not busier or more stressed than the President, who read these devotionals in some of the highest pressure days of his life. We can all learn from this book how to encourage bless the leaders around us with wisdom and grace.

Russell D. Moore

When Joshua DuBois opens his mouth, grace falls out. If you want to be challenged, encouraged, and inspired in your faith, look no further. The President’s Devotional is a must read book of spiritual reflections from one of America’s most influential Christian leaders.

Jonathan Merritt

Joshua is one of those refreshing and practical people who has provided Biblical truth and hope to people ranging from The Big O. to those cleaning tables. Inspire the leader within you with Biblical and timely insights DuBois has learned from his personal relationship with the greatest Leader of all.

Justin Mayo

These devotions provide insight into things that have been significant encouragement for persons who are faced everyday with critical decisions. They prove valuable to each of us as we face the challenges of leadership in the fulfillment of our responsibilities to and for those God has placed in our care.

Michael A. Battle Sr.

For years I have watched DuBois faithfully organize both Scriptures and prayers to strengthen the President in mind and spirit. Joshua has been the President’s go-to bridge to spiritual leaders, to Biblical wisdom, and to faith. Now he can be our bridge, too.

Joel Hunter

Nothing uplifts American citizens more than knowing that our President is daily seeking the spiritual strength leadership demands. Joshua DuBois understood the centering power of feasting on the inspired word and wisdom of God. We will all be blessed immeasurably as we journey through this amazing collection of presidential devotionals.

Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner

Joshua DuBois’s daily devotions for President Obama are filled with pastoral insights that can help guide the rest of us to make good choices as we work for change in our own spheres of influence.

David Neff

A daily spiritual oasis to help driven leaders catch their breath and reset their compass. Joshua’s selection is comforting and challenging in good proportion. The devotionals provide, from within the Christian tradition, both the wide perspective and the moment for personal centering necessary to stay oriented on the leadership journey.

Sharon E. Watkins

So many believers seek scriptural, experienced guidance on how to navigate the tensions and challenges of living a public life aligned with their personal faith. The President’s Devotional is a uniquely valuable resource to help every person live a life that glorifies Christ and serves their neighbor.

Mark Batterson

A surprisingly intimate journey to soul, lifted by the poetry, passion, and prayer that Joshua shared with the President. Insisting on Christ as his North Star in the midst of personal loss and national turmoil, Joshua reveals a grace, courage, and humility that make this book an essential compass.

Kevin Ryan

As we face mighty leadership challenges, we need a strong connection to our Almighty God. Every morning, Joshua had the privilege of sharing a daily devotional with our nation’s leader. And now we have the privilege to learn from the same wisdom and insight that Joshua brought to the president.

Bobby Gruenewald

Now all of us, including leaders in government, business, the nonprofit sector, and other fields, can join President Obama in benefiting from the great young reverend’s spiritual insights. This book is a special treat for the mind, a treasure for the spirit, and a daily tonic for the soul.

John DiIulio

As leaders we know how important it is to be spiritually centered on a daily basis. Joshua DuBois imparts life-giving reflections that help provide biblical guidance and insights to nourish our souls. Not only am I using this resource, I will be encouraging others to use it daily.

Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe

This book provides a tremendous spiritual resource that will deepen their walk, as well as a set of powerful lessons in high-stakes leadership. It will help all who are charging hard and intent on making a difference to stay grounded while accomplishing big things. I highly recommend it.

Brad Lomenick

Joshua DuBois provides daily reflections, proven in the highest corridors of earthly power, that stand poised to inspire, inform, and impart the truth that God’s mercies arrive new every morning. This devotion is a must read for every leader in our land.

Rev. Samuel Rodriguez

Most of us work to educate our Minds. Some of us exercise our Bodies. Not all of us develop our Spirit. That is why I’m so impressed with Joshua DuBois’s book. The President’s Devotional is a concise daily educational exercise in Spiritual Formation.

Rich Wilkerson

Joshua DuBois has been consistent in his encouragement-from the president to new friends-to spending time in prayer, meditating on the Word. All of us can use that type of encouragement.

Peb Jackson

Every morning [Joshua] sends me via e-mail a daily meditation. A snippet of Scripture for me to reflect on, and it has meant the world to me.

President Barak Obama

★ 11/15/2013
When DuBois (former head, White House Office of Faith-Based & Neighborhood Partnerships) led the religious affairs department of Sen. Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, he received Obama's permission to send him daily devotional email messages. As part of the Obama presidential administration, he continued to do so. He has now selected 365 of those emails, labeled here from January 1 through December 31, to inspire hope, illuminate key principles, or replenish a person's busy life. Even though the book is based upon a calendar year, readers can really dip in as they choose or begin reading on any date. Entries feature a short biblical quotation, sometimes an additional relevant secular quotation, a snippet from a song or verse, a brief daily meditation, and a short prayer. Each month is prefaced by an autobiographical essay by DuBois relating to challenges the Obama administration confronted and how they connect to themes of faith and doubt and of moving forward. VERDICT It is unnecessary for a reader to have any particular theological or political background to gain from the book through the inspirational thoughts and encouragement expressed. Many readers are likely to find themselves attracted to this appealing title.—William Garrett, Troy Univ. Lib., AL

Library Journal