--- title: "Book Notes: Find a Real Friend in Jesus" description: Gary Zimak's new book, Find a Real Friend in Jesus, is full of friendly, personal advice from someone who is so invested in his faith that he can't help but share it with others. Barb Szyszkiewicz, OF --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/06/23/book-notes-find-real-friend-jesus-2#) # Book Notes: Find a Real Friend in Jesus Jun 23, 2016 11:00:47 AM  |  by [Barb Szyszkiewicz](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/barb-szyszkiewicz-ofs) [![Book-Notes-720-x-340-dark-gold-outline-and-medium-blue-pen-_-Notes-light-blue-702x336](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Book-Notes-720-x-340-dark-gold-outline-and-medium-blue-pen-_-Notes-light-blue-702x336-235.png?width=702&height=336&name=Book-Notes-720-x-340-dark-gold-outline-and-medium-blue-pen-_-Notes-light-blue-702x336-235.png)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Book-Notes-720-x-340-dark-gold-outline-and-medium-blue-pen-_-Notes-light-blue-702x336-235.png) If you've ever heard [Gary Zimak](http://www.followingthetruth.com/blog/) speak or listened to his [radio program](http://tunein.com/radio/The-Gary-Zimak-Show-p875790/), you're familiar with his down-to-earth, honest approach to faith. Last year, Gary gave a presentation at a local parish, which felt more like a conversation with a good friend than a speech. He has the ability to make a large church with a hundred or more people in it feel like a small room filled with friends. [![Book Notes: Find a Real Friend in Jesus](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/find-a-friend-in-jesus-2.jpg?width=322&height=499&name=find-a-friend-in-jesus-2.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/find-a-friend-in-jesus-2.jpg) When you read Gary's latest book, ***[Find a Real Friend in Jesus](http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/1632530228/catholicmom)***, you'll get that same feeling: that you're sitting with Gary, getting friendly, personal advice from someone who is so invested in his faith that he can't help but share it with others. Gary writes from his own experience and does not shy away from discussing his own doubts, struggles and fears; he also never fails to acknowledge how the grace of God has helped him overcome those. Gary describes "Ten Amazingly Easy Steps" to encounter Jesus in your own life. While the steps may be "easy," they do require effort on your part--but that effort will bear great spiritual fruit! [Tweet "Consider the order in which you list your prayer requests. #findarealfriendinJesus @Gary_Zimak"] As part of working through Step One, "Break Down the Walls," Gary invites the reader to consider the order in which you list your prayer requests. > Do you pray for yourself before you pray for others? Do you ever ask the Lord what you can do for him, or do you spend most of your prayer time telling him what you need? If you see a problem here, it's one that's very easy to fix. By changing the order of your petitions and telling the Lord you're at his service, you will put the needs of others before your own. > > Also, try meditating on the Lord's passion. It is a very effective way to overcome this obstacle. Before long, you'll find yourself thinking less about your needs and more about how much Jesus loves you. (51) In other parts of the book, Gary recommends Eucharistic Adoration, studying the Catechism, receiving the Sacraments, reading Scripture and turning to Mary among the ways you can learn to draw closer to Jesus. [***Find a Real Friend in Jesus***](http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/1632530228/catholicmom) is easy to read and an excellent book to take to prayer as you seek to draw closer to the Lord. **Buy this book through our Amazon link and support CatholicMom.com with your purchase!** **Be sure to check out [our Book Notes archive](http://catholicmom.com/category/book-notes/).** *Copyright 2016 Barb Szyszkiewicz, OFS* ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F06%2F23%2Fbook-notes-find-real-friend-jesus-2%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F06%2F23%2Fbook-notes-find-real-friend-jesus-2%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F06%2F23%2Fbook-notes-find-real-friend-jesus-2%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Book%20Notes%3A%20Find%20a%20Real%20Friend%20in%20Jesus) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F06%2F23%2Fbook-notes-find-real-friend-jesus-2%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F06%2F23%2Fbook-notes-find-real-friend-jesus-2%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Barb Szyszkiewicz](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/BSzyszkiewicz%202022.jpg) ### [Barb Szyszkiewicz](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/barb-szyszkiewicz-ofs) Barb Szyszkiewicz, senior editor at [CatholicMom.com](http://catholicmom.com), is a wife, mom of 3 young adults, and a Secular Franciscan. Barb enjoys writing, cooking, and reading, and is a music minister at her parish. Find her blog at [FranciscanMom](http://franciscanmom.com) and her family’s favorite recipes with nutrition information at [Cook and Count](http://cookandcount.wordpress.com). Barb is the author of *[The Handy Little Guide to Prayer](https://amzn.to/2LQB2oL)* and * [The Handy Little Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours](https://amzn.to/3wbDB8k)*, available from Our Sunday Visitor. ## Related Blog Articles [ Meatless Friday: Money-Saving Pasta Meals Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/meatless-friday-money-saving-pasta-meals) [ New on TV this Fall: "God Friended Me" Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2018/09/25/new-on-tv-this-fall-god-friended-me/) [ The Little Flower's Birthday: Booklist Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/little-flower-birthday-giveaway) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! Sign up to receive our free daily digest email. Copyright © 2026 CatholicMom.com. All Rights Reserved.