Bringing Heaven Here

‘Bringing Heaven Here opens our eyes to the Lord’s Prayer in its original context and shows how these ancient words can breathe new life into our weary souls. This book doesn’t just explain the prayer, it invites us to live it, and in doing so, encounter Jesus in a way that changes everything.’ * Dr. Darren Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Church of the City (Franklin, TN) *‘I pray this prayer daily. I always find myself coming to the phrase ‘on earth as it is in heaven’ and feel the holy weight of tears and longing, along with incredulity and doubt. Will anything I do today bring even a sliver of heaven to this wrecked ball of humanity, mine included? Yet, something rises in me to repeat the words and trust God’s plan for restoration. This brilliant, wise, and kind book is like a travel guide to a faraway land that you have known of, and seen on television, but never visited. The depth of perspective, history, and meaning offered brings a fullness that invites you to savor the words like bread from heaven. Your prayer will never be the same.’ * Dan B. Allender, Ph.D, Professor of Counseling Psychology and Founding President, The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology *‘This book will help you pray the Lord’s prayer with more compassion, more conviction, and more context. It will open your eyes to its original meaning and open your heart to its ultimate purpose.’ * Mark Batterson, New York Times bestselling author of The Circle Maker *‘We’ve prayed the Lord’s Prayer our whole lives–at church, with our high school sports teams, and now with our kids at bedtime–but praying it so often made it familiar. Bringing Heaven Here opened our eyes. Brad and Brad brings each phrase alive, showing how it connects to our deepest purpose and to the ordinary moments of everyday life. It’s already reshaping how we parent, pray, and live. We can’t wait to share it with our kids!’ * Dr. Josh and Christi Straub, Founders, Famous at Home *‘Bringing Heaven Here reminds us that the Lord’s Prayer is not merely an individual expression of faith but a communal declaration of trust. It draws individuals into a community that is in awe of God’s power, amazed by his nearness, surrendered to his will, and dependent on his daily provision. This book offers readers both theological depth and practical encouragement to let this ancient prayer shape their lives today.’ * Cyndi Parker, Ph.D, Professor, Author, and Host of the Context Matters podcast *

Brad Gray

Brad Gray is the President and CEO of Walking The Text, a non-profit organization that creates digital media resources and study trips to Bible Lands to help people understand the Bible in its original context. He is the cocreator and host of The Sacred Thread, and the author of Make Your Mark. Brad is also a national speaker, ordained minister, and former teaching pastor. He has a business management degree from Cornerstone University (Grand Rapids, Michigan), a Master of Divinity from Western Theological Seminary (Holland, Michigan), and has done additional graduate work at Jerusalem University College (Jerusalem, Israel). Brad and his wife, Shallon, live with their four children in the Greater Nashville Area.

Brad Nelson

Brad Nelson is the content director at Walking The Text, a non-profit organization that creates digital media resources and study trips to Bible Lands to help people understand the Bible in its original context. He curates The Teaching Series, a bi-weekly podcast and video series, and is a cocreator and writer for The Sacred Thread. He is a national speaker, writer, and served in the local church as a pastor for seventeen years. Brad has a Bachelor of Arts in history from Cornerstone University (Grand Rapids, Michigan) and a Masters of Divinity from Western Theological Seminary (Holland, Michigan) and has done additional graduate work at Jerusalem University College (Jerusalem, Israel). He and his wife Trisha live with their three daughters in Greensboro, Georgia.