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 win 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!

Margaret 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

Take 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}

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

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

“Finding Spiritual Whitespace” by Tsh Oxenreider

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