Spiritual needs are as ancient as humankind. Just as ancient is the impulse and the imperative to respond to those in distress. The need for healing is universal. So is the empowerment that love for others, for ourselves, and for God can bring. The great Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have profound lessons rooted in deep spiritual understanding for those who suffer and for those who seek to bring a healing touch.

Sacred Journeys: Ecumenical Perspectives on Spiritual Care draws from these faith traditions to provide a hopeful collection of inspirational essays on spiritual caregiving, with essayists who were themselves led by the spirit to offer spiritual care in parishes, in hospitals, at schools, on the streets, and in locales near and far. They show us that with God's help, rigorous training, and the willingness to learn from our struggles and doubts, it is possible to be a force for healing and good in this world.

Regardless of our background or calling, we can be inspired to take a leap of faith in reaching out to others. We are all called to take the risk of listening to the pain and fear of others, to risk the opening of our hearts, and to be ambassadors of God's love to a hurting world. This path is not easy, but there is a joy and a sense of peace that radiates from the experiences of those who have walked the path before us.