this book is such a gentle and soul-nourishing invitation to slow down, be present, and embrace the nearness of God in our daily lives. the author weaves together guided meditations, thoughtful reflections, and Scripture in a way that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. each meditation is a moment of stillness, a breath of peace, and a reminder that God’s presence is always within reach. this short novelette is a beautiful companion for anyone seeking a deeper, more embodied connection with their faith amidst the noise of everyday life. 4 stars ⭐️❤️

What a lovely devotional, grounded in scripture and seeking a fully embodied faith. By combining scripture, guided meditation, movement, body awareness exercises, and devotional prayer the author supports us in fully grounding the "Christian walk" and relationship with Christ into our human experience - our bodies, our breath, and our awareness of the present moment. It draws us beyond an intellectual understanding, beyond rote church attendance on Sundays, to a fully embodied faith.

Don't let the word "meditation" freak you out! Some Christians get twitchy when they hear the word "meditation" thinking that it is filled with Eastern teachings contrary to Christian faith (at the mildest) or that the practice can invite the presence of demonic energies (at the worst). Meditation actually has a long tradition rooted in the historical Christian church, with practices such as contemplative prayer, lectio divina (meditating on scripture verses), the experiences and reflections of the Christian mystics, and many others. Meditation, mindfulness, breathwork, somatic therapy, and body awareness exercises are known, scientifically and medically, as contemporary, secular tools that can be used to reduce stress and improve mental and physical health. No religious beliefs required! These are universal tools for healing. They can also can be used for spiritual development. They do not come from any particular faith or religious tradition, while simultaneously being used in many belief systems - including Christianity.  In the context of this book, these practices are designed to deepen your relationship with scripture, the teachings of Jesus, and with the presence of God. They are particularly and thoughtfully presented in a way that centers and honors Christian tradition and teaching.

Also, if you are someone that is "spiritual but not religious", you meditate, maybe practice yoga, enjoy inspirational reading and embodied practices, and also love Jesus' teachings, this book is accessible (not preachy), relatable, gentle, and a really lovely container to connect with the self and with God through the lens of the New Testament and Jesus' teachings. The Message translation of the Bible used by the author has contemporary language and is super readable and relatable.

Each devotional entry is structured in the same way:
•A passage from scripture (message translation).
•Ponder This - a short commentary on the reading.
•A detailed guided meditation connecting the reader deeply to the present moment, the meaning of the verses, to God's creation, to gratitude and the gift of our breath and life and humanity, and ultimately, to Jesus.
•Soak in silence - time for stillness and to sit in the presence of God.
•Questions for reflection.
•A sensory cue (breathing, moving, journaling, walking, drawing, etc).
•A closing prayer tying it all together.

This book would be perfect for a morning or evening devotional practice. If you enjoyed this book (or think you might) I'd also recommend "Breath as Prayer" and "Present in Prayer" by Jennifer Tucker.

I thoroughly enjoyed WITH GOD IN EVERY BREATH. It inspired me to draw closer to God and to seek intimacy with Him more throughout my day. It also inspired me to be more consistent with practices such as mindfulness, yoga, and meditation.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

I didn’t realize this was a book about yoga and other Eastern rituals. While some Christians are okay with yoga, I don’t believe it has a place among Christians. There are many biblical ways to experience peace, joy, and rest. We don’t have to borrow practices from a pagan religion.