Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord proclaim that he has redeemed them from the power of the foe
and has gathered them from the lands—from the east and the west, from the north and the south.
Some wandered in the desolate wilderness, finding no way to a city where they could live.
They were hungry and thirsty; their spirits failed[b] within them.
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; he rescued them from their distress.
He led them by the right path to go to a city where they could live.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his faithful love and his wondrous works for all humanity.
For he has satisfied the thirsty and filled the hungry with good things.
Psalm 107:1-9 CSB
Five Simple Breath Prayers to Spark Thanksgiving Joy in Your Soul
The month of November is the time of the year when we talk about being thankful.
But for many of us, it’s the beginning of navigating the holidays – and having to remember the people, places, and stories that are difficult or wounding.
God knows your longings and the anxieties you’ve put to the side. But, when the holidays come – and everything beautiful and filtered (image crafted) starts getting posted into our social media feeds and commercials and music starts playing – your heart becomes tender again. You feel deeply and your hidden hopes and memories return.
As you wonder how thanksgiving can touch your heart, look down. See the loving hand of Jesus gently fold your hand into His. Turn to look into His gentle gaze upon you and His complete understanding for all you’ve whispered into the night.
Jesus knows how you feel. He loves you. Jesus tenderly whispers, I will be with you. I won’t leave you. You’re mine.
Maybe it’s hard to hear God’s whispers of love for you – because the world is so noisy, where everything seems to celebrate perfect stories, perfect endings, and perfect beauty.
But, I’m here to say, Life doesn’t have to be perfect, in order for you to be perfectly loved. You have something beautiful that far surpasses the image of perfection. You and I can celebrate the joy of being God’s beloved.
Here are Five Breath Prayers to spark the joy of Thanksgiving in your soul, inspired by my book and journey to find God’s Whispers of Rest.
PRAYER #1
Help me, God.
Thank you for never letting me go.
“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk, for I give myself to You.” Psalm 143:8
Whatever’s happening this week, hold onto God’s hand. He’s not letting go of you. He’s walking into every situation you’re facing, with you.
Gather your courage and ask for the strength to do what you must do, just for this one next step. Trust He will provide what comes next. Jesus will not abandon the work of His hands — He is not letting go of you. No way, no how. You are His beloved.
PRAYER #2
Hold onto me, Jesus.
Thank you for the gentle ways you love me.
“For great is your steadfast love toward me…” Psalm 86:13
“Your right hand supported me and your gentleness makes me great.
You gave a wide path for my steps under me, and my feet did not slipped.”
Psalm 18:35-36
We may not know the way but the God who loves you not only knows the way – He intimately knows your way.
No matter what, He will lead you all the way.
PRAYER #3
Give me courage, Jesus.
Thank you for the beautiful seeds you’ve planted in me.
“Don’t dig up in doubt what you’ve planted in faith.” -Elizabeth Elliot
You know the thing you’re doubting about yourself? That quiet idea that rises in your heart now and then? It’s the very seed God placed in you that’s unique. The way you think, the way you feel, what inspires you. You might look around and wonder if it’s good enough. Will other people like it? Will they like me?
Yet, God gently whispers –
Will you sow it? Will you dare to blossom? With me?
“If you say, ‘Surely the darkness of my doubts about myself will overwhelm me,
And the light around me will be night, and no one recognizes my worth,’
I will answer you tenderly –Even the darkness is not dark to me,
I see you. All and every beautiful part of you.
And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to me.
For I formed your inward parts; I wove you together in your mother’s womb.
You are beautiful. You were conceived
in creativity and beauty deep in my heart.
I want you to shine.
You are mine.”
Inspired by Psalm 139:11–13
As I wrestled with my fears and my desires with a new dea God put on my heart, this conversation in the psalms flowed. May these whispers of rest bring you peace.
PRAYER #4
Make a way, Jesus.
Thank you for loving me as I am.
“Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.”
Psalm 126:6
The world says prove yourself. God says be yourself. Utterly unique, perfectly loved.
God assures us: Don’t give up. I will make a way.
That quiet seed you planted and thought maybe it can’t survive? It’s still there, sweet friend. God is still gently wooing you, to step out and water with Him by your side, together.
But how? And when — now? Questions and doubts are a part of faith coming alive, pointing you to something new! Just don’t push that moment of inspiration and longing away because of them. Draw nearer to Jesus, confiding in all that’s hidden in your heart.
PRAYER #5
Help me believe, Jesus.
Thank you – nothing is impossible for you.
“Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine
after the guests have had too much to drink.
But you have saved the best for last.”
John 2:10
Lie: It’s too late.
Truth: It’s never too late. God saves the best for last.
Don’t look back, beautiful one. Love takes your hand forward. Our best days are ahead of us because the great God we follow is ahead of us. Nothing too big is impossible for God. More importantly —nothing too small is impossible for God, either.
The beauty of faith isn’t measured by how far you’ve walked or what you’ve accomplished. It’s found in the Person walking with you. And Jesus faithfully, tenderly loves you irrevocably!
Which prayer touches your heart with thanksgiving?
What do you long for this month? Share it as a prayer.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Bonnie,
Thank you for these beautiful prayers. “Help me” and “Hold onto me” really resonate with me and I transfer those to my son right now…..”Help him, Lord.” “Hold onto him.” I pray the the Lord would continue wooing my son back to His heart of love and that the Holy Spirit would move in him to make good and healthy decisions for his life which in a very dark place right now. As he is grown, I can no long make him do the right things, I can pray, and hang onto hope, that the Holy Spirit can and will move in His life. Lord, you are the God of redemption, healing, and ultimately hope. Help my son. Hold onto him with your righteous right hand and do not let him fall. I claim your promises over him right now and I thank you for your steadfast lovingkindness. You are a good, good Father and so I commend your child into your loving care and provision. Give me peace to know that nothing is impossible for you. You are my God and You are able. Don’t let my faith and hope be shaken. In the precious name of your Son Jesus who takes away all of our sin, I pray, Amen. Thank you, Bonnie….
Blessings,
Bev xx
Nancy says
Bev, and all sisters who have wayward sons and daughters, I am putting your son’s name on my refrigerator prayer list. Keep looking up. XOXO Blessings, Nancy
Kathleen K says
HE has heard your momma’s pray for her son and HE is at work now drawing your son to Him. A beautiful testimony is going to come out of this testing time. Hold on precious sister and begin thanking Him for answered prayer. Standing with you in praying for your son and daughter.
Blessings,
Kathy
Michele Morin says
Bonnie, this is such beautiful imagery (Jesus’ loving hand!), but best of all, it’s based on the solid foundation of Scriptural promises that never fade — even in the blur of holiday preparation!
Blessings to you!
Tammy Garrish says
Wow! Thank you for the I inspiration and encouragement. I have been in a dark place fighting a silent battle. You reminded me that God has a greater plan foe me; but I must have faith and move forward believing He will lead me and provide for me.
Mary Hood says
Bonnie,
Thank you for your tender, loving voice and the way you always echo God’s whispers of His thoughts toward His people. I am just finishing “Whispers of rest”. I have savored every word. Ps 143:8 is a verse I told my son growing up. He remembers it, even though professes to be a believer, does not follow Christ. He is in volatile, frightening and challenging situations right now. I pray this verse over his soul frequently, as I have had to stop giving my advice.
Paula says
Thank you Bonnie. I just finished Whispers of Rest…..I read it one page each day but I am going to read it again. I loved it but often found myself just hurrying through it (check off my list!) instead of meditating on it, praying. I know I need rest! But I’m always trying to cram more in.
This post was such a boost and reminded me I had planned to re-read…and take time….to go through Whispers of Rest again. And I do love breath prayers and these will be wonderful to remember during holidays.
I am battling “people pleasing” and anxiety. Always praying for my adult children who are prodigals.
Bev, I prayed your beautiful prayer for my children too.
Thank you and God bless you.
Jeannie says
Timely and specific. God is always working. Thank you.
Mary Ann says
Lord, thank you for these beautiful prayers and reminders today on the anniversary of my baptism 7 years ago. You showed me Psalm 107:10-16 back then and You still remind me that even when I rebel against You, all I have to do is turn back to You and cry out to You. You continue to bring me out of darkness and the deepest gloom and break away my chains.
I will give thanks for Your unfailing love and Your wonderful deeds! I will choose to believe that old things have passed away and all things continue to be made new for You have saved the best for last!
Praise You Jesus!!
Michelle says
I needed this this morning! I’ve been feeling (after I turned 40 in October) like I’m washed up. Put out to pasture. Whatever amazing things God “was” going to do through me have reached their expiration. I didn’t work hard enough for it, wasn’t proactive enough in pursuing His plan for my life. Even though I technically “know” that is not true, I cannot shake it. What is crazy is that I am so ashamed of feeling this way, that I’ve not shared it with anyone really. A few online friends, but no one that sees me in person regularly. I’ve changed my prayer life to combat this. Every time that I begin “feeling” this way, I don’t let it sit. I say out loud that I don’t receive it as truth, and that the joy of the Lord is my strength. It has made a huge difference in my countenance. Trying to hold onto promises from God that my fickle human heart thinks are past their expiration is hard and painful….especially watching other women (even those who are not believers) receive of these promises that are supposed to be mine, makes me heartsick. Over the years, I’ve let go of so much that I had hoped for and was believing God for in order to “protect” my heart from crushing disappointment (because it is exhausting) that I began to struggle with my own identity. I can feel, in my Spirit, God calling me out of that place and into trusting Him with these things, but I have this fear that overwhelms my heart of being crushed by disappointment again. God knows me better than anyone, and He knows that I am already allowing Him reign over those promises again, allowing Him to breathe His breath of life into those dead places in my heart that I shut down. Jesus help me, and deal tenderly with my fearful heart!!
Traci says
Thank you for this. It spoke to me. Thanks for allowing God to use you! They are all really good but especially the prayer about darkness from Psalm 139 spoke to me.
Joan Munro says
God is the giver our each breath! These Breath prayers are promises given by a Faithful Gid, even when I am faithless!
These are prayers for every day, Bonnie! I will pray them out loud and silently in Faith, because Gid alone knows my heartaches and sadness. And God Alone, is the ONE who holds all of my tears in His Holy Hands, as He holds me & my loved ones that cling to His Promises.
Karen says
Beautiful. Thank you Bonnie.
Mjane says
Beautiful and encouraging. Holiday season is rough on so many hearts for so many reasons.
Social media-with things “Beautiful and filtered” has the capability to challenge us and our already broken hearts to the point of despair. Thank you Bonnie for pointing us to the one who will always be there-and love us forevermore.
Beth Williams says
Bonnie,
Prayers 4 & 5 resonate with me. This world craves fame, fortune, & accolades. Be in the spotlight. God says the opposite. Those not in the spotlight, but doing His work quietly in the background are more loved by Him. I am a helper by nature & God’s design. Don’t ask me to lead a group or give speech. You want assistance with that task or job I am there for you. God has made me an encourager also. I love sending texts, emails, or cards in the mail to spur someone on.
Often times I feel like I’ve wasted the best parts of my life. God has gently sent messages to me that it is never to late to do good for Him, make an impact in this world. I’ve read of hundreds of people who did their best work late in life even in their 80s. I just have to forget the past, those lies I hear, trust & wait for God’s timing.
Blessings 🙂
Nancy says
Bonnie, thank you for being the vessel to share these timely, beautiful prayers with all of us. I am approaching the winter of my life journey and have been struggling with getting older, looking backward instead of forward, feeling disappointed with many things, especially where my adult children are spiritually. I read these tender echos of love and reassurance with many tears. Thank you. Sending love. Nancy
EAJ810 says
“Our best days are ahead of us because the great God we follow is ahead of us. Nothing too big is impossible for God. ” I needed this reminder and need to be encouraged during troubling times. Thank you for this post. It was meaningful.
Angela says
Dear Bonnie,
You are my favorite spiritual writer. Unexpectedly, I was unable to make it to church this morning, but longed to connect deeply with God as I do when I am with my spiritual family at Mass. Your words brought Jesus to me and this forum has connected me to my spiritual family. Thank you for being the spark of hope that unites us through your loving words inspired by the Holy Spirit. May we all be who are we and share it with the world as God intended.
Love,
Angela
Susan G. says
Thanks for these wonderful prayers and scriptures Bonnie.
I love Prayer #2.
God is so faithful to always show me how much He loves me and lets me know He’s right in the middle of my life!
I love Psalm 18:35-36 too.
May you be blessed as you bless others!
Rebecca L Jones says
Thank you Bonnie for these great prayers, I am participating in Not About Me November, and I wanted to declare December, A Season of Rest, regardless what is going on in the world we have to remain in His love and rest in His grace and peace. I enjoy talking to you, as always.
Kim B Smith says
Bonnie, Thank you for the 5 prayers, I have printed this and taking into my morning prayer to support me and guide me to God.
Nancy Ruegg says
Thank you, Bonnie, for this rich dollop of encouragement. Prayers 3-5 are especially appropriate for me as I face challenges and uncertainty for the year ahead. I’m going to copy down your breath-prayer suggestions and put them with my prayer cards–daily reminders that my Heavenly Father is loving, attentive, and always at work. P.S. That quote from Elizabeth Elliott is perfect!