My August Read

It’s back to school time where I live, and with it, the added pressures and stress of the routine. The carefree days of summer have turned into the daily frenzy of car rider lines, homework, and afterschool activities. We just launched a son off to college this fall, and last week, our youngest started his senior year of high school. If I spend too much time thinking about the unknowable and uncontrollable aspects of parenting teens and young adults, it’s enough to keep me up all night–a bad combo for those early school day wake-up calls!

A couple of months ago, I discovered a beautiful little devotional by Jennifer Tucker, Breath As Prayer. This book is as lovely to look at as it is to read. In it, Jennifer gives you eighty-four short devotional thoughts with a written Bible thought as a breathwork exercise. She covers topics like “God knows your needs,” God keeps you in peace,” and “God is making a way.” 

I love doing breath work to calm my anxiety, and I love to teach it to my adolescent and adult clients as a way to regulate the nervous system, bring down blood pressure, and shift focus. I tell my teens that the best part about breath work is that you can do it anywhere, and a lot of times, no one else even needs to know. A breathing exercise is a portable and free technique that requires no special equipment or much time. Some of my best breathing exercises happen when I’m stuck in traffic, feeling anxious in a meeting, or during those 3:00 am starting-at-the-ceiling nights. 

What I love most about Breath As Prayer is that each exercise connects to an attribute of God’s goodness and faithfulness. Instead of breath work as an internal manifestation, we’re pointing upwards to the One who hears and helps. 

“It is on the foundation of His steadfast love that we pray for healing, not on any good we do to try to earn it. Trusting His kindness is what allows us to know peace, whether the healing we pray for comes or not. Because whatever comes is the kindness of God, and whatever tomorrow may bring, new mercies will always accompany the sunrise.” Breath as Prayer, page 60

“Inhale: Your Steadfast Love Never Stops,

Exhale: Your Mercies Never End; 

Inhale: They Are New Every Morning

Exhale: Great Is Your Faithfulness.” Breath as Prayer, page 61

This lovely book has a spot on my nightstand, and I use it frequently in my morning devotions. It makes a sweet gift and is appropriate for both teens and adults. HERE is a link to find Breath as Prayer on Amazon. Jennifer’s next book, Present in Prayer, will be released on November 12, 2024. I look forward to checking it out and leaving a review. 

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