Press Pause: Making Time for God in an Overscheduled Life

by Karynthia Glasper Phillips

Why Quiet Time Is the Most Important "To Do" of the Day Do you long for a deeper connection with God but struggle to find the time? Between your personal life, work, and responsibilities, it's easy to feel like quiet time with God is just another sacrifice. This is your invitation to pause, pivot, and discover renewed peace and purpose. In Press Pause, Karynthia Glasper Phillips takes you on a transformative journey that combines biblical reflections with practical steps to help you disconnect from the chaos and truly reconnect with God, making room for quiet time even if you feel you have no time. In this book Phillips provides a biblical foundation for why quiet time with God is vital to the Christian life and helps you evaluate where you are in your relationship with God. Next, you'll embark on a twenty-one-day devotional journey to help you seek God's presence and form a habit of daily quiet time. Finally, the book concludes with a seven-day retreat guide, providing an immediate opportunity to let go of distractions, embrace stillness, and step into the fullness of God's presence. In this book, you'll discover a renewed awareness of God's presence, how time in private with God can have lasting effects in your public life, practical guidance to help you pause on purpose in quiet time with God, how physical well-being and spiritual health are intertwined, and how a healthy spiritual life leads to greater care for others and better decisions at home, work, and in society. Press Pause invites you to intentionally pause amid the stress and busyness of life—not by adding more to your schedule but by finding ways to integrate God into the moments you already have. If you're seeking a deeper connection with God in the midst of your fast-paced life, this book is for you.Learn how spending time with God helps you fulfill your purpose, refreshes your spirit, and cares for your body as God's temple. No matter where you are in your relationship with God, pressing pause will allow you to refocus, gain clarity, and receive spiritual guidance for your daily life.

192 pages, Paperback

Published March 10, 2026

Reviews

[Cassie Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Press Pause" is a thoughtful and encouraging read about balancing your spiritual life with the busyness of the world. I really loved the prayer and reflection prompts, and the scientific connections. It was a bit repetitive at times, but for anyone trying to understand why it’s important to slow down and spend time with God, this is a helpful guide.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Press Pause is a much needed book in 2025. The book is truly about pressing pause and balancing life with our faith and leaning in closer to our relationship with God by putting an emphasis on our spiritual intimacy and acknowledging the Holy Spirit. . The busyness of life sometimes leaves us dry and in a sort of spiritual stagnant existence when a reset with the rhythm of "pause→reflect→connect" can enhance this relationship by recognizing this work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. I do think this work is not to theologically deep, but easy to apply the advice by the author to help as a resource in our day to day walk with the God. I plan on rereading this book and would recommend anyone who is looking to grow closer in their relationship with God to check it out.

The only downside to the book, but not really a criticism, is the fact it seems addressed to women as the reader throughout the book. Normally this is not something I would point out, but this book is for anyone looking to regain that intimacy with God and would be beneficial for all. The author I think limits her audience by 50 % just targeting women. This is a book for all.

Overall, this is a great read.. I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley on behalf of InterVarsity Press, but wasn't obligated to post a review. All opinions are my honest opinions.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Press Pause” is exactly the book that I have needed for a long time! It’s the perfect tool for breaking “Hurry Syndrome” that is plaguing our society today. I’ve been guilty of this myself. This book is the recalibration you’ve needed; the “signal interruptor” to help you get off the train of the busy-frenzy that modern life has become!

It is so much more than a devotional book. It helps prepare your heart as well as deal with attitudes and poor habits that keep you from your quiet time with God.

This book challenges you, convicts you in a refreshing way and brings your priorities back to falling back in love with your first love. It is inspirational! I so very much love how it incorporates scripture, reflection, prayer, and an opportunity for application. I actually plan on incorporating “7 day retreat” component of this book on a fast that I intend to do soon. It’s the perfect companion for giving your soul a reset and bringing your focus back to adoring ‘The One’ who is the reason we choose to do all of this. It brings us back to His heart and our first love.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions of this book are all my own.

[Penny Reeve · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Press Pause' is a book about exactly that: learning to press pause in the busyness of life and spend time with God. Karynthia Glasper Phillips invites readers to thoughtfully consider the value and impact of making purposful quiet time with God using metaphors from her experience as a physician's assistant. It's expository in style, with short devotions at the end of each chapter that help readers immediately practice the type/reason/focus of the 'pause' discussed. The final section of the book includes a variety of resources, including energy management quizes, prompts for a seven day retreat, and prayer tools. While Christian's with established rhythms of quiet times may find the content of this book a little repetative, those struggling to find the 'why' to slow down and make space with God will find this a convincing companion guide.

Note: I received an advance reader copy from the publisher under no obligation to leave a review.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Press Pause invites you to intentionally pause amid the stress and busyness of life. Not by adding more to your schedule but by finding ways to integrate God into the moments you already have. If you’re seeking a deeper connection with God into the midst of your fast-paced life, this book is for you. Learn how spending time with God helps you fulfill your purpose, refreshes your spirit, and cares for your body as God’s temple. No matter where you are in your relationship with God, pressing pause will allow you to refocus, gain clarity, and receive spiritual guidance for your daily life. This book will richly bless you and help guide you back to a relationship with the Lord and put away all the busyness.

[Dyann Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Press Pause is a book so needed today. In a world of noise, hurry and busyness Karynthia Glasper Phillips reminds us to stop and experience the unhurried presence of God. Each devotion directs the reader to prioritize their time with God, which will lead to peace and contentment. Learning to settle our human spirit into the Spirit of God results in a quiet soul. A quiet soul is ready to hear and receive God’s guidance. Each devotion provides rich insight, a personal reflection and prayer. This devotional is rich with scriptural truths, encouragement, personal stories and applications for the weary soul.

[Melissa McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come Away and Rest with Christ

Press Pause is a much-needed resource for Christians seeking rest and a deeper relationship with the Lord. Given today's frenzied lifestyles, we often fill our schedules with good and godly activities, but miss out on first cultivating our connection with Jesus. I loved the author's personal examples, like the time she pulled over at a grocery store parking lot and spent quiet time with God before continuing with her day. Another favorite was the Lord's Prayer guided prayer tool in the appendix. This book will help you deepen your roots in Christ. Time well spent!

[Deena Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Press Pause is an in-depth look at the importance of finding time to get alone with God.

Karynthia Phillips will encourage you in mind, body, and spirit and reveal the benefits of investing your time in your walk with God.

The book is very important for new believers and those who’ve been following Jesus for many years. It’s not a book you can casually read, but it’s all good stuff!

I received an advance copy from the publisher. I’m under no obligation and my review has not been solicited. Recommended.

[Laura Maser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes a book just lands in front of you when you need it. Press Pause put into words what I have been feeling for some time. It's ok and actually part of God's plan for you to slow down, let go of some responsibilities and rest. I really enjoyed the way this author developed the chapters in her book. She used lots of Scripture, vulnerable personal stories, and really practical ideas for us to simplify an "Overscheduled Life". I loved the section on the Seven Day Personal Retreat! I gave a copy to a friend, and I'm thinking about using Press Pause as a small group book study.

[Jessica Jernigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the Spiritual motivation you need to inspire you to "stop, think and breathe- to rest and reset your spirit, mind and body". It is an excellent reminder that we all need to "Press Pause" and find quite time with the Lord. It is motivation that encourages us all focus on our spiritual health and connection with the Lord. Karynthia has always been a huge inspiration in my life. I am super excited for her new book release. I know this book will be a blessing to everyone who reads it.

[Melissa Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource filled with practical and intentional ways to pause and make time for God. This book gives specific ways to recognize why we're stressed and overscheduled. The author shares Scripture, personal stories, and guides to understand how to change our focus from the busyness of life to focusing on God. I received a complimentary copy of the book. No review was required.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some good tips to teach you why it is important to slow down and how to press pause in your life. However, I found most of it to be fairly repetitive and not necessarily new information to me. I found it moderately helpful.

I received a preview copy from Netgalley.