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Breath as Prayer: Calm Your Anxiety, Focus Your Mind, and Renew Your Soul
Find hope amid anxiety through the spiritual practice of breath prayer in this beautifully illustrated and practical guide to connecting body, mind, and spirit during times of stress. Breath as Prayer will lead you through the practice and the proven health benefits of Christian breath intentional prayers centered around Scripture that focus our minds on Christ as we calm our bodies through breathing. Breath as Prayer With a beautiful foil-accented cover, Breath as Prayer is an ideal gift God created our bodies, minds, and spirits to be intimately connected with one another. Purpose-filled breathing is one of the most effective, calming ways to integrate all aspects of who we are, especially during times of intense stress. Breath as Prayer invites you to the crossroads of Christian contemplative practice, Scripture, psychology, and science to deepen your faith, bring peace to your body, and discover a new reliance on Christ. Breathe deeply, lean into God's Word, and discover why every breath can be an invitation to pray.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published September 13, 2022
2847 people are currently reading
5647 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews
September 13, 2022
I am giving this book 5 stars. Likely for some of the reasons that others gave it fewer stars. I learned of this book because I follow this blogger for her strategies (and since she openly admits that she has mental health struggles) on anxiety and stress overwhelm. I have printed her free resources, laminated them, and shared them with many people.
I loved the intro chapters that talked simply and directly about all the brain-based research on mindset, deep breathing, etc. Having been an avid reader of all things mental health, trauma-informed, neurodiversity, and the Bible for many years now, I found her short and informative chapters shared clearly and simply the reasons that these strategies work based on science. She also shared why she prefers to use her breath to calm anxiety, focus her mind, AND renew her soul. So to her, it made it natural to add scripture and shorten phrases from key verses, to help support the rhythm of her intentional calming breath. So if you too seek the Word of God in your life, you know that only focusing on the truth will really set your mind free.
Some criticize why she doesn't use the direct quote, her examples, etc. But I think they are missing the point of the book, I believe it is a teaching tool to model how breathing for calming anxiety, focusing, and bringing calm and peace to your inner self, fits naturally as a form of prayer. She refers to the fact that some who practice liturgical strategies have done some of this. But as someone who has not been directly exposed to those practices in my local church, I appreciate the modeling and examples she gives.
As a teacher, I recognize that if you want to change the words, or rephrase, feel free. She is doing her thinking aloud (metacognition) for the reader and sharing her story/experience with these phrases and offering that in a written beautiful book since she cannot come to sit next to each of her readers and show them how it works in her life. Her breath prayer examples have been free online as a resource for a few years now, and I believe this work is a response to people wanting more explanation, modeling, and the reasons why this is a healthy restorative practice.
I enjoy her examples, I am stalking my mailbox for the physical copy to arrive, and have a visual to keep out and remind me to use my breath and pray when needed, model it, and support my teens and young adult in adopting this practice for themselves as all of my children have very high anxiety naturally. I look forward to giving away copies to those who want to try it and need this tool for support. It's great for visual and experiential learners in the book format!
Thanks to netgally and the publisher to review and online advanced copy and share my thoughts.
I loved the intro chapters that talked simply and directly about all the brain-based research on mindset, deep breathing, etc. Having been an avid reader of all things mental health, trauma-informed, neurodiversity, and the Bible for many years now, I found her short and informative chapters shared clearly and simply the reasons that these strategies work based on science. She also shared why she prefers to use her breath to calm anxiety, focus her mind, AND renew her soul. So to her, it made it natural to add scripture and shorten phrases from key verses, to help support the rhythm of her intentional calming breath. So if you too seek the Word of God in your life, you know that only focusing on the truth will really set your mind free.
Some criticize why she doesn't use the direct quote, her examples, etc. But I think they are missing the point of the book, I believe it is a teaching tool to model how breathing for calming anxiety, focusing, and bringing calm and peace to your inner self, fits naturally as a form of prayer. She refers to the fact that some who practice liturgical strategies have done some of this. But as someone who has not been directly exposed to those practices in my local church, I appreciate the modeling and examples she gives.
As a teacher, I recognize that if you want to change the words, or rephrase, feel free. She is doing her thinking aloud (metacognition) for the reader and sharing her story/experience with these phrases and offering that in a written beautiful book since she cannot come to sit next to each of her readers and show them how it works in her life. Her breath prayer examples have been free online as a resource for a few years now, and I believe this work is a response to people wanting more explanation, modeling, and the reasons why this is a healthy restorative practice.
I enjoy her examples, I am stalking my mailbox for the physical copy to arrive, and have a visual to keep out and remind me to use my breath and pray when needed, model it, and support my teens and young adult in adopting this practice for themselves as all of my children have very high anxiety naturally. I look forward to giving away copies to those who want to try it and need this tool for support. It's great for visual and experiential learners in the book format!
Thanks to netgally and the publisher to review and online advanced copy and share my thoughts.
June 1, 2023
I love this book. I read it on Kindle so took a lot of screenshots of the beautiful art and have shared some with friends. I read through it like a devotional but plan to return to it for reference. The author also has a good grasp on the psychology of anxiety and trauma and emotional health, which was a huge plus for me.
The book is highly giftable because it’s beautiful, full of Scripture, and accessible—even to those who are only minimally spiritual. I will return to this book again and again and keep sharing it.
The book is highly giftable because it’s beautiful, full of Scripture, and accessible—even to those who are only minimally spiritual. I will return to this book again and again and keep sharing it.
September 2, 2022
I love the topic of breath prayers. In my own life breath prayers got me through long nights as a new mom, long lonely days in the pandemic, and hard days of anxiety. I greatly enjoyed Jennifer Tucker's book. It was laid out in a devotional format with breath prayer practices included in each chapter. When I first picked up the book I thought it was going to be more of a study on how they help, why they help scientifically, and practices explained. It did have informational pieces at the beginning, but was not an information based book. If you are looking for a devotional with breathing exercises, this is a wonderful option.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC, provided in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC, provided in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2023
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! This book beautifully pairs praying Scripture with deep breathing as a means of calming anxiety and focusing & renewing your mind. I love how she goes into depth of how God made our bodies and the way that we can work with our bodies to calm ourselves, but she goes one step further and pairs praying Scripture, breath prayers, with this. The book is a reference book, including 60 Scriptural prayers that you breathe in and breathe out. What a gift this book has been to learn how to use breath prayer and to have an abundance of Scriptures provided that I can use and reference for a multitude of situations that I face.
March 17, 2024
Breath as Prayer: Calm Your Anxiety, Focus Your Mind, and Renew Your Soul is the first book I have read by Jennifer Tucker.
From the beautiful cover to the calming illustrations within, everything about this book is calming. This is not a book you pick up and read cover to cover. This is a book you pick up and read when you have a specific need. The author begins by explaining what breath prayers are, and what they are not. There are eighty-four breath prayers in this book, making it a wonderful devotional book, or again, just a book you pick up as you need it.
From the beautiful cover to the calming illustrations within, everything about this book is calming. This is not a book you pick up and read cover to cover. This is a book you pick up and read when you have a specific need. The author begins by explaining what breath prayers are, and what they are not. There are eighty-four breath prayers in this book, making it a wonderful devotional book, or again, just a book you pick up as you need it.
November 24, 2024
absolutely loved this! already started re-reading, the perfect wind down before bed to calm down and spend time with the Lord 🥲 anxious girls this ones for you
May 28, 2025
Has been a game changer for my prayer life … implementing breathing into prayer has helped me battle anxiety - great book!!
January 5, 2024
This one's a keeper -- and a great gift book.
In this charming gift book, Jennifer Tucker combines proven breathing techniques with Scripture-based prayer to offer tools to “Calm your anxiety, focus your mind, and renew your soul.”
Everyday anxiety is something most of us experience more than we’d like. And if it’s not anxiety, it’ll be something else that agitates or distracts or stirs us up. Settling down can be easier said than done.
These 84 short readings and prayers come with gentle artwork. If savoured one per day, they can begin building a positive and peaceful habit. They can be read in order or by theme, meeting the felt need of the day (prayers of trust, direction, gratitude, help… there are 12).
I love how Ann Voskamp says, in her introduction to the book, “To learn to breathe prayers through all the labor pains of living is to be delivered into peace.” [page 14]
And I love these words from the author:
The book opens with an easy-to-read overview of the idea of focused breathing and brief prayers, grounding firmly in the scientific and in biblical Christianity. Page 21 includes a chart of what breath prayers are and are not, highlighting the difference between Christian practice and general spiritual and self-help practices. The author also points out the difference between anxiety disorder (needs professional help) and the more common everyday anxiety.
Each day’s reading features a truth to “breathe deep and know,” followed by a brief devotional reading and Scripture verse. Then a page of pastel-hued word art presents breath-sized snippets of the verse to repeat a few times in sync with slow inhales and exhales. I found this settled my spirit and led me into a sense of God’s unhurried presence.
A compact hardcover with lovely art, Breath as Prayer makes an excellent gift book for a friend or for yourself. Highly recommended as a gentle resource for spiritual growth and self-care.
For a brief, accessible overview of breath prayers, read this post on the author’s blog: What Are Breath Prayers? Jennifer Tucker’s website, Little House Studio, also offers mental health information and printable art. If you scroll to the end of her book page, you’ll find two free printable colouring sheets and a curated Spotify playlist with songs “to help you slow down and b-r-e-a-t-h-e.”
[Review copy from my personal library.]
In this charming gift book, Jennifer Tucker combines proven breathing techniques with Scripture-based prayer to offer tools to “Calm your anxiety, focus your mind, and renew your soul.”
Everyday anxiety is something most of us experience more than we’d like. And if it’s not anxiety, it’ll be something else that agitates or distracts or stirs us up. Settling down can be easier said than done.
These 84 short readings and prayers come with gentle artwork. If savoured one per day, they can begin building a positive and peaceful habit. They can be read in order or by theme, meeting the felt need of the day (prayers of trust, direction, gratitude, help… there are 12).
I love how Ann Voskamp says, in her introduction to the book, “To learn to breathe prayers through all the labor pains of living is to be delivered into peace.” [page 14]
And I love these words from the author:
“Anxiety is not an enemy you need to fight. It is an opportunity to slow down and invite Christ into your struggle, to breathe deep in His presence and let His peace enter into all your broken places.” [page 30]
The book opens with an easy-to-read overview of the idea of focused breathing and brief prayers, grounding firmly in the scientific and in biblical Christianity. Page 21 includes a chart of what breath prayers are and are not, highlighting the difference between Christian practice and general spiritual and self-help practices. The author also points out the difference between anxiety disorder (needs professional help) and the more common everyday anxiety.
Each day’s reading features a truth to “breathe deep and know,” followed by a brief devotional reading and Scripture verse. Then a page of pastel-hued word art presents breath-sized snippets of the verse to repeat a few times in sync with slow inhales and exhales. I found this settled my spirit and led me into a sense of God’s unhurried presence.
A compact hardcover with lovely art, Breath as Prayer makes an excellent gift book for a friend or for yourself. Highly recommended as a gentle resource for spiritual growth and self-care.
For a brief, accessible overview of breath prayers, read this post on the author’s blog: What Are Breath Prayers? Jennifer Tucker’s website, Little House Studio, also offers mental health information and printable art. If you scroll to the end of her book page, you’ll find two free printable colouring sheets and a curated Spotify playlist with songs “to help you slow down and b-r-e-a-t-h-e.”
[Review copy from my personal library.]
February 18, 2024
I cannot recommend this book enough! The artwork is beautiful and I appreciate the daily devotions and pairing Scripture with breath work. It is a gift to read each morning. It has helped me through difficult, sleepless nights and pointed me toward the Prince of Peace. This is one I will treasure and re-read.
March 8, 2024
This book will never be leaving my nightstand. Such a beautiful way to combine breathing techniques with prayer. Highly recommend!!
November 27, 2024
4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Really refreshing read - first half was explaining anxiety and breath prayers and the second half was full of breath prayers themselves. I wish there was more actual book to read with info about anxiety and more research about breath prayers and how they calm.
Otherwise, I recommend!
Really refreshing read - first half was explaining anxiety and breath prayers and the second half was full of breath prayers themselves. I wish there was more actual book to read with info about anxiety and more research about breath prayers and how they calm.
Otherwise, I recommend!
September 9, 2023
Tremendously helpful- what a fabulous tool for combatting unwanted and unhelpful thoughts, and focusing on Scripture. I think I’ve purchased 4 or 5 copies for other people who are struggling with anxiety, or intrusive thoughts 🩶 wonderful!!
October 19, 2023
I am so glad this exists as a resource, and I have recommended it SO much to clients who struggle with being overly busy and burnout. It’s a great reminder to take five minutes out of your day to breathe and focus on Truth. Unfortunately, most people won’t do that. I love how simple the breath prayers are and how timely the messages are.
June 1, 2024
Loved it from the very beginning. Will definitely be a book I go back to again and again to learn and remember short prayers to relax and regulate breathing.
July 29, 2025
This is a devotional style book. I chose to read straight through the book, but you could also choose to read one chapter each day.
Jennifer does a really great job explaining breath prayer and why it can be so beneficial. After explaining breath prayer, the reminder of the book consists of short devotions accompanied by a breath prayer.
Jennifer does a really great job explaining breath prayer and why it can be so beneficial. After explaining breath prayer, the reminder of the book consists of short devotions accompanied by a breath prayer.
April 22, 2023
I've been looking for something like this for a while. I find breath prayers very useful, but most resources I've encountered about them tend toward new-age-y, and while I can pick out useful things and leave what I don't find helpful for myself, I wouldn't be comfortable sharing them with someone else to introduce them to the practice.
This is not like that! The introductory material provides some basic information about the science behind how breathwork calms the body, how prayer connects us to God, and explains that the goal of breath prayers is combining the two. Every breath prayer is adapted directly from a Bible verse. The brief devotionals that accompany each one are encouraging without being shallow fluff.
The book itself is attractively designed and well-made. I'm glad this exists and definitely recommend it if you're curious about breath prayers or if you already appreciate the concept and want ideas of prayers to use.
This book is focused on calming anxiety and stress. I would love to see a companion to it covering other topics!
This is not like that! The introductory material provides some basic information about the science behind how breathwork calms the body, how prayer connects us to God, and explains that the goal of breath prayers is combining the two. Every breath prayer is adapted directly from a Bible verse. The brief devotionals that accompany each one are encouraging without being shallow fluff.
The book itself is attractively designed and well-made. I'm glad this exists and definitely recommend it if you're curious about breath prayers or if you already appreciate the concept and want ideas of prayers to use.
This book is focused on calming anxiety and stress. I would love to see a companion to it covering other topics!
March 24, 2023
I wasn’t sure if I would like this book, but I did. I highly recommend the audio version. It couples deep breathing with scriptural truth. Each chapter is 2 minutes or less and it does the breathing with you and you breath in and out speaking truth. I have been listening to it when I feel stress and anxiety creeping up and it has helped me focus and be anxious about nothing and in everything pray. Even though I’ve finished this, I’m keeping it on my saved list so I can relisten to it as I need to breath deep and quote scripture to myself.
November 28, 2023
I read this book as I would a devotional, and I was so encouraged and uplifted by every page. It is rare to find Christian authors/speakers who understand trauma and mental health, so I was skeptical when I first picked this up. But knowing a little about Jennifer’s journey gave me the courage to see what she had to say, and finding that she uses breath prayer as a way to connect with God in the midst of the struggle made me want to learn more about how to incorporate this practice into my days, as well. Her words are full of compassion and empathy, and this book gave me a lot of hope.
March 29, 2023
I already have a breathwork practice and a practice of prayer, but I've never thought to combined them in this way. I liked the idea.
March 17, 2025
As I’m walking through severe postpartum anxiety, I’ve found this book helpful, grounding, and convicting. This is a beautiful read with practical, physical steps through breath prayers (a combination of just taking a moment to physically breath and reflect on truth with specific biblical promises) to meditate on Scripture and manage anxiety. This isn’t a “read in one go and you’re fixed” book, but rather a helpful tool to pull out along with Scriptures when I’m feeling anxious or overwhelmed. I especially appreciate how the book is laid out to cover specific topics with short breath work prayers and a devotional with the Bible passage. A strong recommendation to anyone who is struggling with anxiety or any other overwhelming emotions as it is a simple yet influential read.
November 19, 2025
An absolutely gorgeous book that explains and promotes breath prayers as a way to reduce anxiety and stress. Science shows that controlled breathing counters the physiological effects that stress has on our bodies. This book combines such breathing that with daily Christian devotionals that still the mind and the soul. For those who don't care for the eastern philosophical take on meditation and mindfulness, but who recognize the benefits of controlled breathing. The breath prayers are all based in scripture, and the focus is on God and His grace, and not ourselves. Beautiful intro by Ann Voscamp as well! I gobbled it all in one sitting, and now I'm preparing to actually use it as a daily devotional for prayer time.
January 15, 2025
Breathing techniques are one of many tools I use to help manage my anxiety disorder. As a follower of Jesus, I have found that incorporating prayer with breathing techniques brings so much peace and comfort and helps me physically release the tension of my worries over to Jesus, the one who holds it all in his hand. This book offers several beautiful scripture-based prayers to match the breath, as well as basic instructions for those not already familiar with common breathing techniques. The prayers are short and easy to remember, making it easier to employ this method quickly and effectively.
October 7, 2022
Calm your anxiety, focus your mind and renew your soul… yes please! Do you pray, or meditate or something similar in form to calm your mind and body?
This book is so neat. It reminds you that prayers can be done anywhere, anytime you are able to slow down, breath and pray. It’s broken down into twelve breath prayer categories like trust, love, peace and hope for example. As you flip through the pages you get different examples and explanations, and the opposite page of each prayer page provides you with a positive word or picture. Just really uplifting!
This book is so neat. It reminds you that prayers can be done anywhere, anytime you are able to slow down, breath and pray. It’s broken down into twelve breath prayer categories like trust, love, peace and hope for example. As you flip through the pages you get different examples and explanations, and the opposite page of each prayer page provides you with a positive word or picture. Just really uplifting!
April 15, 2024
I did one prayer a day with my quiet times in the morning and really loved them! It’s such a good and easy practice that I will continue as I spend time in Scripture. She set up the concept of breath prayers really well and I loved that it was all based in scripture. Some days the accompanying devo felt a little fluffy feeling for me and there were honestly so many typos haha but otherwise it was a great addition to my time with God and I would recommend!
September 16, 2024
First of all, this is an absolutely beautiful book, and I loved that about it. It's full of 80+ Scripture-based breath prayers (where you pray one line as you inhale, and one as you exhale), along with a mini devotional on each Scripture. Not only is that a great concept, I really appreciate how the author doesn't spiritually bypass, and say that just praying and trusting God should heal your anxiety. She delves into the physical side of anxiety as well, and how that needs to be addressed as well.
July 15, 2024
Highly recommend for anyone who experiences panic attacks. The way this book combines breath-work and prayer is amazing for de-escalating physical symptoms and focuses the mind towards peace. It is literally a guidebook on how to fully surrender your anxieties to God, and trust that He will take care of you. This is going to be a book that I will come back to time and time again.
July 18, 2025
This is beautiful for believers, to meditate on God’s word. Great to listen to something as I continue to search for His voice, but unfortunately it didn’t get me closer in my journey. Still wrestling to hear Him. So if you’re a believer, and into meditation, this will be of value. My 3 stars come from a “me” problem.
Audiobook
Audiobook
January 10, 2023
a resource for living life
a great book to refer back to for whatever you are dealing with in life as a reminder that we aren’t alone
a great book to refer back to for whatever you are dealing with in life as a reminder that we aren’t alone
December 29, 2023
LOVED this so much I ended up buying it so I can add it my quiet time routine 🫶
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