News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

USA News

Popular devotional 'Jesus Calling' tops 40 million sold

by Kelly Valencia
Sarah Young Jesus Calling thumb.png - Banner image
Jesus Calling website

'Jesus Calling', the popular 365-day devotional written by American author Sarah Young has now sold more than 40 million copies across all formats and editions, according to Publishers Weekly, an influential trade magazine.

Young began writing the book in the 1990s and, after a difficult case counselling a woman who claimed to be a victim of a satanic child abuse, she started writing down what came to mind during her quiet times with God. Those writing eventually became 'Jesus Calling'. 

Released by Thomas Nelson, a leading publisher of Christian content, in 2004 the book has spawned a TV series, a podcast and a magazine.  

It has also had other follow-up books such as 'Jesus Listens', 'Jesus Always' and 'Jesus Lives', among others. 

In 2013 it was reported 'Jesus Calling' outsold pop-culture phenomenon 50 Shades of Grey'.

Speaking to Publishers Weekly, Michael Aulisio, responsible for the 'Jesus Calling' brand at Thomas Nelson said he believed the pandemic and a need for peace have likely contributed to sales in the last three years.
 
"Not every book impacts people this profoundly, but when you have something that helps people use drugs less, and when you have stories like one where a lady was going to kill herself, but the book was on the nightstand where the gun was…we're so serious about continuing to get this message out," Aulisio said.

Young has been put of the public eye for a while due to health issues. But in an email interview with Religion News Service in 2021, she said: "When I sit down to write, I always ask God to connect His infinite sufficiency with my utter insufficiency," she said in an email. "So, my health struggles help me rely on Jesus and work collaboratively with him."
 

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate