Bonnie Gray
  • Blog
  • Soul Care Quiz
  • Podcast
  • Books
    • See All Bonnie Gray Books and Resources
    • Breathe: 21 Ways to Stress Less
    • Sweet Like Jasmine
    • Whispers of Rest Book
    • Finding Spiritual Whitespace
  • About
  • Speaking
  • Contact

5 Ways To Pray When You’re Too Stressed To Know How (Day 8) 21 Days of Rest: Finding Spiritual Whitespace

By Bonnie Gray • June 16, 2014 • One Comment

I didn’t know that I was hiding. I’ve always been good at praying.

Or so I thought.

My daddy left when I was seven. I’ve always looked to God as my Father, my provider. I didn’t realize that God wanted to be more than just my provider.

God longed to be my soul’s confidante — deep where I feel lonely, where I struggle to receive and make space for me.

I find it easier to take care of others and do things for God, rather than be vulnerable with my needs.

But God is showing me prayer is an intimate soul conversation to be loved and known — rather than a spiritual transaction to be made better.

This journey of restful prayer began in the most unexpected way:  my first panic attack.

At the cusp of a life-long dream — writing a book — painful childhood memories re-ignited as live events.  I began reliving them.

Even though I was married to my soulmate hubby, mom to two beautiful boys, even traveled halfway across the world as a missionary to tell others about Jesus, I couldn’t stop my heart from pounding like a jackhammer, unable to breathe. I couldn’t stop endless nights of insomnia or fatigue so thick I laid in bed by day.

I felt ashamed.  It seemed the peace of Jesus I’ve always prayed for others and myself was out of reach.

I knew how to pray to be competent and strong.  But I didn’t know there were deeper, beautiful prayers for broken me.

Instead of abandoning me, Jesus whispers —

“Come to me, weary and heavy-laden. And I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:38

Sometimes, it takes more faith to fall apart with Jesus than praying for faith to stop it from happening.

I began praying new intimate prayers.

I began finding spiritual whitespace:  making room for rest instead of ignoring my wounding and exhaustion.

As I took the journey to find rest, I uncovered Five Soulful Ways to Pray When You Don’t Know How:

1.  When you’re overwhelmed, whisper His name.

Remember receiving a first love note?  It didn’t have to be long. Yet your heart felt known seeing your handwritten name.  It kept you company in the daily grind, the mention of your name.

Whisper His name and listen for his echo in the quiet moments in your day.

God names the stars and He whispers your name.

“He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.
He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them.”
Psalm 147:3-5

2.  When you don’t have words to pray...

to be continued…

To Read The Rest of 5 Soulful Ways to Pray &
WIN a copy of my book Finding Spiritual Whitespace

To wi"Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul To Rest" by Bonnie Grayn a copy of Finding Spiritual Whitespace and read the rest of “5 Soulful Ways To Pray When You Don’t Know How” — click here to visit with me at Margaret Feinberg’s place. 

Enter a comment at Margaret’s place by this Thursday 6/19/14 & WIN a copy of Finding Spiritual Whitespace!

Screen Shot 2014-06-15 at 8.12.42 PMMargaret is author of Wonderstruck, popular Bible teacher and speaker, recently named one of 50 women most shaping culture and the church today by Christianity Today.

During the thickest of my panic attacks, Margaret was kind enough to share comments of prayer and encouragement to me every now and then. At the time, I was so anxiety stricken, I was unable to read email. I didn’t even know she quietly slipped these words of prayer and encouragement.  Yet, that’s the kind of person she was. Margaret’s the real deal. Margaret is celebrating the release of my book during our 21 Days of Rest Book Launch Tour and invited me to share whitespace at her place.

Take The Journey of Rest With Me

Bonnie_SpiritualWhitespaceBookTake the Finding Spiritual Whitespace journey to make space to rest, despite whatever chaos and stress clutters our everyday lives.

This is a soul’s guidebook to rest for you. I’ve created journaling questions  (for you or intimate small groups) so you can take the journey of self-discovery with Jesus. Let’s live a better story of rest. Together.

Purchase a copy of my memoir-driven guidebook for yourself and your friends.  Because rest isn’t a journey we need to take alone.  We need each other.

Because some stories can’t be told on a blog.  They are so intimate, they can only echo in the sacred space of the printed page. Letters from my heart bound together for you.

Let’s be kindreds. Let’s meet between the pages of Finding Spiritual Whitespace.

 

Read about Whitespace from Authors You Love
{click on the endorsements below to visit my friends and read about their Whitespace}

Screen Shot 2014-06-03 at 4.24.04 AM

 

“Why I’m Breaking Up With My Quiet Time” by Lysa TerKeurst

Screen Shot 2014-06-03 at 4.10.03 AM

“Help when Your Life Feels Too Busy” by Holley Gerth

Screen Shot 2014-06-03 at 4.10.35 AM

“Finding Spiritual Whitespace” by Tsh Oxenreider

Screen Shot 2014-06-03 at 4.10.24 AM

Today’s post is Day 8 of Bonnie Gray’s special Book Launch Blog Tour Series — {21 Days of Rest: Finding Spiritual Whitespace}.  Click here to read Day 1 and the entire series on rest.

Our special June Whitespace Thursday Linkup Badge

21 Days of Rest: Finding Spiritual Whitespace

 

prayer

Share With Others

Share Your Voice

Pull up a Chair

This is a quiet space for you and me. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Click to comment »

1 Comment

Get Faith Shots

Get each post served up hot and fresh in your mailbox.

[newsletter_signup_form id=0]

Dear Little Girl Lost :: A Letter, Photos & A Giveaway (Day 7) 21 Days of Rest: Finding Spiritual Whitespace
3 Unexpected Ways God Makes Us Known (Day 9) 21 Days of Rest: Finding Spiritual Whitespace

Connect with Me

Bonnie Gray

Welcome to Faith Barista – a blog that serves up shots of faith for everyday life. Posts brewed hot & fresh. Hang out. Swap some stories.

You Might Also Like

  • You Are Carried. A Mother’s Day Devotional For Your Soul

  • Top 5 Lies of Perfectionism & 5 Truths To Set Your New Heart Free

  • If You Wonder If Risk Is Worth It

  • Clutter Free Your Heart and Home Today (Guest: Kathi Lipp)

1 Comment

  • Reply Day 8: Finding Spiritual Whitespace | Fuller Way of Life June 16, 2014 at 1:18 pm

    […] Bonnie Gray. Today, Bonnie’s day 8 post (of her 21 Days of Rest) gives some guidelines for “5 Ways to Pray When You’re Too Stressed.” I think this is something many of us will be able to relate to. We’ve prayed for patience; […]

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG

Sign up to refresh your soul with God’s love and rest. I’ll send you encouragement to nurture your heart and wellbeing. I’ll cheer you on!

SUBSCRIBE NOW»

Pull up a chair. Refresh your soul. Be inspired with soul care, stories & encouragement here. Breathe. This is a quiet space to swap some stories. Share your journey. Be the beloved. Be you. Serving up shots of faith for everyday life.
Bonnie Gray

“Bonnie has often led the way to freedom and truth by going there first herself. Her ability to invite us in as readers into our own stories only makes this world a better, more healed place.” 

– Annie F. Downs, New York Times bestselling author of That Sounds Fun

“If you’ve ever been weary and needed room to breathe, then Bonnie Gray is the guide you’ve been looking for as you journey with Jesus to a new place of peace and freedom in your life.” 

Holley Gerth, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Powerful Power of Introverts

Order Now »

LISTEN TO BONNIE’S BREATHE PODCAST

VOTED 2022 CHRISTIAN BOOK AWARD FINALIST BY ECPA

“In a world crying out for kindess and belonging, this is a book needed for our times. Sweet Like Jasmine is a gift, a beautiful remembrance, that God treasures each of our broken hearts in His sweeping story of redemption.” 

– Ann Voskamp, New York Times bestselling author of The Broken Way

Order Now »

BONNIE IS A TRUSTED VOICE TO SO MANY – FEATURED ON

Archives

Compassion International Blogger

Compassion International Blogger

Sometimes it takes more faith for us to enter into a child's story than simply praying that it changes. Experience these stories unscripted.

Read the stories»

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Instagram RSS Pinterest
Bonnie Gray

Contact

© 2018 Bonnie Gray. All rights reserved. Website by Contemplate Design | Privacy Policy
Bonnie Gray
  • Blog
  • Soul Care Quiz
  • Podcast
  • Books
  • About
  • Speaking
  • Contact