The release of Rick Warren’s new book, The Hope You Need, is delayed indefinitely, said publisher Zondervan.

In a statement Friday, the company explained that Warren needed time to focus on other projects at the moment.

“We understand many people will be disappointed at the delay, but we fully support Rick and respect his decision,” said Moe Girkins, president & CEO of Zondervan. “Of course, we remain eager to bring this book to market when the time comes.”

The book is based on an eight-part sermon series on the Lord’s Prayer that Warren delivered last year at Saddleback Church in Southern California. Initially, the book was scheduled to be released in November 2009 and then rescheduled for Fall 2010.

Ahead of the anticipated 2009 release, Zondervan launched a contest to design the book’s cover that was opened to the public. There were more than 3,500 entries. The winner was an Italian couple, Simona Dall’Argine and Simone Salardi, who submitted a simple and clean design.

Warren said he chose the winning cover because it was simple and helped convey the message inside the book that the Lord’s Prayer is profound, yet simple.

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The megachurch pastor and bestselling author said The Hope You Need is a response to the economic crisis, a time when people need a message about hope.

Warren’s previous book, The Purpose Driven Life, is the best-selling hardcover book in history.