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Press Pause: Making Time for God in an Overscheduled Life

by Karynthia Glasper Phillips

A gentle, practical invitation to reclaim quiet time with God amid a hectic life, grounded in biblical reflection and a seven‑day retreat guide.

Brief summary

Press Pause argues that quiet time with God is not an optional extra but the most important “to‑do” of the day, and it offers a biblical foundation plus practical steps for integrating stillness into busy schedules. The book helps readers evaluate their current spiritual rhythms, provides tools to weave sacred pauses into ordinary moments, and concludes with a seven‑day retreat guide to jump‑start deeper practice.

What works

• Voice and tone: Warm, encouraging, and pastoral—Phillips writes like a trusted companion rather than a taskmaster.
• Practical structure: Short, actionable chapters and a built‑in seven‑day retreat make the book immediately usable for individuals and small groups.
• Integration of body and soul: The book explicitly links physical well‑being and spiritual health, helping readers see quiet time as holistic care.
• Endorsements and credibility: A foreword by CeCe Winans and endorsements from pastors, clinicians, and authors lend cultural and pastoral weight to the book’s message.

What doesn’t

• Not a one‑size fix: Readers looking for a quick checklist may be surprised that the book emphasizes long‑term habit formation over instant solutions.
• Familiar territory: Many of the practices (silence, Scripture reading, simple rhythms) will be familiar to those already disciplined in spiritual formation.
• Audience focus: The book is framed especially for busy women and ministry leaders; readers outside that demographic may need to adapt some examples to their context.

Themes and context

Phillips frames quiet time as a spiritual discipline that produces resilience, clarity, and better public life—arguing that private communion with God reshapes decisions at home, work, and community. The seven‑day retreat functions as both an entry point and a model for sustained practice, situating the book within contemporary conversations about burnout, soul care, and embodied spirituality.

Recommendation

Recommended for: busy Christians—especially women and ministry leaders—who want a practical, theologically grounded plan to make daily quiet time sustainable; ideal for small groups or individuals seeking a short retreat structure. Not the best fit for readers seeking dense theological treatises or clinical mental‑health interventions.

Publication details: Paperback; InterVarsity Press; publication date March 10, 2026