The ministry of spiritual direction grows from a life of prayer, discipleship and the struggle for holiness. It is a by-product of that, and only makes sense within it. The author wrote this book, both out of a commitment to the deepening of spiritual life, and out of a concern that this ministry is in danger of being trivialised, professionalised and enclosed within an elitist and inward-looking enclave. Spiritual direction must be reclaimed in the service of the kingdom of God.