Jennifer Tucker leaned into breath prayer out necessity. Amid anxiety and a family crisis, it became a lifeline.

Jennifer Tucker is a mom, artist, and graphic designer, primarily working for Ann Voskamp. Jenn is also the author of Breath as Prayer: Calm Your Anxiety, Focus Your Mind, and Renew Your Soul. As Jenn puts it, “I create art to remind my own soul that God is with us, that we are loved and held and never alone.”

In today’s conversation, we talk about how both Jenn and her daughter’s struggles with anxiety led her to the practice of breath prayer. Instead of being an occasion for shame or a barrier to her faith, anxiety actually became a gateway for drawing closer to God. Jenn also talks about the importance of making church a safe, compassionate, and life-giving space for those struggling with mental health issues. Jenn also reminds and encourages us in the slow work of true beauty; it may not be glamorous or a quick fix, but it is ultimately what brings about wholeness and thriving in our lives.