🪶Rest: Slow my racing heart.

Year of Breath: A Prayer, Some Prompts, and a Playlist

Every parent I know is tired. We’re in a season inundated with end-of-the-year events and obligations. Summer is on the horizon, but for now, we’re stuck navigating spring pollen allergies and balancing yet another end-of-the-year concert/field trip/school ceremony¹.

Like our kids’ fresh school supplies in the fall that turn into banged-up notebooks and broken crayons in the spring, we’re done.

Rest often eludes us—especially as parents.²

Yet, I do believe no matter how exhausting our lives are, the Spirit whispers a different invitation into rest that is accessible to everyone: One where rest is not an escape but an embrace by the One who sees our unseen labors and unsaid needs.

This week, consider where you might accept the divine invitation to find peace in the chaos, to reconnect with the still, small voice that promises true rest, even when you’re bone-tired and can’t manage *one more* addition to the weekly calendar.

Borrow this Prayer

From my new book Every Season Sacred. (It’s temporarily just $16.91 on Amazon right now! Stock up for Mother’s Day.)

God, our lives are loud.

Help us to get quiet

So that we can hear

You more clearly.

Help us to add rhythms

Of rest into our days.

You lead us to quiet waters

And invite us to be still,

Reminding us that all beauty

And glory and power are Yours,

And Yours alone.

We admit that sometimes

We make things into little gods,

Like what we accomplish

Or the entertainment we consume.

But You invite us to be still

And know that You alone are God.

In Your mercy, You invite us to rest,

To simply breathe.

This Week

Keep reading for:

• intentional breath prayers

• rest playlist (20 songs to invite you into rest)

• Scripture

• reflection prompts

• phone wallpaper

• benediction