THE PROMISE: God's Purpose and Plan for When Life Hurts
(HarperOne / Hardcover / April 2008)
Also available in paperback
and Kindle edition!
Why Does God Allow us to Suffer?

Father Morris peels back the layers of questions that arise when someone asks the question "why me?" He not only writes about how to understand and live with suffering, he also poses the toughest question to God: why do we suffer under a benevolent God? Father Morris delves into how to be healed from the spiritual, emotional, and even physical scars left behind by suffering. He offers six principles for living a free life, that is, a life free of the fear that God is not there for us.

When asked why he chose to write on this topic, Father Jonathan responded:

"Ask the guy on the street, or in the office, or anywhere. Life is tough and at some point we need answers. Either we come up with a satisfactory one or we risk a life without purpose. Suffering without meaning robs us of joy and ultimately destroys us from within."

The late Rev. Richard John Neuhaus, Founder and Editor, First Things:
"A persuasive invitation to a fuller life."
Sharon Deitrick, President of The Halo Foundation:
"Father Jonathan has allowed the reader entrance into his private study where he welcomes and converses with us on a personal yet riveting journey. His spiritual insight is profound!"
Raymond Arroyo, Author of the New York Times bestseller Mother Angelica:
"With true compassion Father Jonathan Morris tackles a reality we will all confront sooner or later...His specific advice shows all of us how to turn tragedy and pain into spiritual gifts that can actually heal us in unexpected ways. Here's a Promise worth keeping, and sharing with others."
Steve Doocy, Author of The Mr & Mrs Happy Handbook, and host of FOX & Friends, FOX News Channel:
"Easy to understand, with stories that everybody can identify with, The Promise left me with a better understanding of God's way, when life hurts. I've already given a copy to someone who is suffering a personal challenge..."
Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Denver
"...Pope John Paul II spoke often and eloquently about the meaning of suffering. Father Morris has written a wonderful sequel to the Holy Father's thoughts, but from a very different perspective: that of a young priest; a man of energy, insight, world experience and engaging popular style."
Steve McEveety, producer of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ:
"The Promise will be for the book world what The Passion was for film--a watershed moment of inspired creativity capable of transforming lives from the inside out. Don't believe me? Ask my wife, she read it too and is already passing it on to family and friends."
Publisher's Weekly, Jan 30, 2008
"Morris is successful in making the claim that it is possible to sustain one's faith in the midst of what is sometimes a cruel world."