EP 033: Prayer in Every Breath: Learning to Slow Down and Draw Near to God with Kayla Craig

### Prayer in Every Breath: Learning to Slow Down and Draw Near to God with Kayla Craig What if prayer didn't have to look like the quiet morning, coffee-and-Bible routine we often imagine? In this episode of *Crafting a Beautiful Life*, Amy sits down with author and journalist **Kayla Craig**, author of Our Daily Breath, for a beautiful conversation about prayer, motherhood, faith, unanswered prayers, and learning to recognize God's presence in the ordinary moments of everyday life. Kayla shares how becoming a mother shifted the way she understood her work and calling, and how a frightening season in the hospital with her young daughter left her unable to find the words to pray. That experience eventually led her to begin writing prayers for others who, like her, sometimes know they want to pray but simply don't know what to say. Together, Amy and Kayla explore the idea that prayer isn't about finding the perfect words or guaranteeing a particular outcome. It can be an ongoing conversation with God, a way of drawing near to Him, listening, surrendering, and allowing Him to change us. Kayla also shares how something as simple as our breath can become a reminder to pause, slow down, and reconnect with the God who is with us in every moment. ### In This Episode, You'll Learn: - How motherhood helped Kayla recognize a new direction for her writing and calling - What happened when Kayla found herself unable to pray during her daughter's critical illness - Why borrowing someone else's prayers can be a meaningful way to pray when you don't have the words - How to move beyond the idea of a "perfect" prayer life - How ordinary moments like driving, folding laundry, brushing your teeth, or making dinner can become opportunities to pray - What it means to think of breath as a connection point to God - How prayer can change us even when our circumstances don't immediately change - Why unanswered prayer doesn't mean prayer isn't working - How to use simple cues throughout your day to create a more consistent prayer life - A simple seven-day practice for beginning or deepening your prayer life   ### 3 Key Takeaways **1. Prayer doesn't have to be perfect.** You don't need the perfect environment, the perfect words, or a long block of quiet time to connect with God. Prayer can happen right in the middle of real life. **2. Sometimes prayer changes us before it changes our circumstances.** Kayla shares the idea that prayer isn't about treating God like a cosmic vending machine. We can bring our deepest requests to Him while also allowing prayer to draw us closer to Him and transform us. **3. Ordinary moments can become sacred moments.** Our breath, our morning routine, the school drop-off, the dishes, a commute, or even a stressful moment can become a cue to pause, breathe, and remember that God is near.   ### Scripture Referenced Matthew 6:11 *“Give us this day our daily bread.”* 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.” Romans 8:26 The Spirit intercedes for us with “wordless groans.”   ### Why This Episode Matters So many women want a deeper prayer life but feel like they're failing because their prayer life doesn't look the way they think it should. This conversation offers a different perspective: what if prayer isn't another thing to add to your already-full life, but a way to become more aware of God within the life you're already living? Kayla's reminder is simple and beautiful: **we already have what we need to begin.** *We have breath.* And every breath can become an invitation to remember God, listen for Him, and draw near. **A Simple Practice to Try This Week:** Before your feet hit the floor each morning, take one slow, intentional breath and pray: *“Give us this day our daily breath.”* And at the end of the day: “*Oh God, You've been with me all along.”* Let those two simple prayers become bookends to your day. **So here's the question: Where in your everyday life could you turn an ordinary moment into a reminder to pause, breathe, and draw near to God?**   #CraftingABeautifulLife #OurDailyBreath #KaylaCraig #PrayerLife #ChristianWomen #FaithJourney #ChristianLiving #Prayer #WomenOfFaith #SpiritualFormation #TrustGod #LivingWithIntention