A Top Seller for Six Years Straight
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. —February 5, 2026— The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World, by New York Times bestselling author John Mark Comer, has surpassed one million copies sold across all formats, marking a major milestone for the long-running title. First published in October 2019 by WaterBrook, an imprint of Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry has become one of the most influential Christian books of the past decade. Since publication, the book has appeared monthly on the ECPA Bestseller List, has been translated into 19 languages, and continues to rank among the top bestselling titles in the Christian market and beyond.
“Reaching one million copies sold is a remarkable achievement, and a testament to the enduring relevance of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry,” said Campbell Wharton, SVP and Publisher, PRH Christian. “This milestone affirms what we’ve seen over the past several years—that the book is not a momentary bestseller, but one with lasting influence. John Mark Comer has helped shape how a generation thinks about faith, formation, and the pace of life.”
“It’s humbling to see how God can turn our weaknesses into strength; my personal struggle to live at the pace of Jesus has been redeemed beautifully by this book’s warm and wide reception, and for that I am incredibly grateful,” says Comer.
In The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, Comer examines the emotional and spiritual costs of modern life’s relentless pace and offers a compelling invitation to live differently. Through a blend of personal narrative, cultural observation, Scripture, and practical insight, the book has encouraged readers to rethink their priorities and cultivate a more grounded, present, and spiritually attentive way of life.
The book initially shipped 13,000 copies in October 2019 and now has been reprinted 34 times. Sales have continued year over year with fourth quarter sales for 2025 up 35 percent from the year prior.
Reader reviews reflect the book’s broad and sustained appeal, consistently describing The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry as “a book that changed the way I think about my life and faith” and “something I find myself returning to again and again,” underscoring the depth of its impact and continued word-of-mouth momentum.
About the Author
John Mark Comer is the New York Times bestselling author of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, Live No Lies, Practicing the Way—awarded ECPA’s 2025 Christian Book of the Year—and four previous books. He is also the Founder and Teacher of Practicing the Way, a simple, beautiful way to integrate spiritual formation into your life and community. Prior to starting Practicing the Way, he spent almost 20 years pastoring Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon, and working out apprenticeship to Jesus in the post-Christian West. Most importantly, he is husband to Tammy and father to Jude, Moses, and Sunday.
About WaterBrook
WaterBrook is an imprint of Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC. In 2026, WaterBrook is celebrating 30 years of publishing books that inspire and help readers thrive as they follow Jesus amid the complexities and opportunities of life today.
