Catching his breath is a confusing blend of memoir and spirituality

Bill Cahusac has served for more than a decade as a pastor at Emmaus Road Church in Guildford – a non-denominational charismatic church associated with the 24-7 Prayer Network. Before that, he worked in an inner-city church plant in London and later at Holy Trinity Brompton, where he founded and led The Furnace, a community of intercessors dedicated to continuous prayer. With such a background, Cahusac brings a wealth of experience in recognising and responding to the work of the Holy Spirit – both in his own life and in the lives of those he ministers to. It is no surprise, then, that he has written a book ostensibly focused on the Holy Spirit.

Catching His Breath is difficult to place in a single pigeonhole. Yes, the Holy Spirit is mentioned throughout its 15 chapters, but then again, so is Bill Cahusac. The book claims to be about being filled with, growing in, and being inspired by the Holy Spirit – and that is undeniably true. With some effort, the reader can trace these threads through its 240 pages. However, while it may have begun with good intentions, the result is a rather confusing blend: part memoir, part spiritual travelogue, part biblical reflection, and part self-help guide. In essence, it becomes a mishmash that’s not always easy to follow, and because of that, the important message risks being diluted or lost along the way.

That said, the central idea is a sound one. By weaving together stories from his own life – from childhood through to ministry – and combining them with encounters from those he has met along the way, Cahusac seeks to show how powerfully the Holy Spirit can move, often in unexpected moments and surprising ways. Many of the stories are candid and deeply personal, allowing readers a glimpse into moments of genuine vulnerability. It is this honesty that gives the book its authenticity and, for many readers, its greatest appeal.

Throughout the book, Cahusac offers refreshing insights and reminders of truths that are often misunderstood or forgotten by long-standing churchgoers. In the book’s foreword, Sarah Yardley – Team Leader and friend of Cahusac at Emmaus Road Church – writes that: “Friendship with God is a wild adventure […] not just in the safe environment of Church, but in places of risk, joy, hope, and freedom.” Cahusac brings that sentiment to life through stories that capture the messy complications of faith – moments that are, as he puts it, “funny, awkward, confusing, heartbreaking and beautiful.” He candidly confesses that parts of his life have been “a bit messy,” marked by regrets and experiences he’d rather readers didn’t know. Thus, his personal stories are also stories that many readers will recognise as variants on their own pathways in life. His honesty therefore allows readers to recognise echoes of their own journeys in his, and for that reason, Catching His Breath may resonate deeply with those navigating the complexities and contradictions of their own lives. 

In respect to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, Cahusac focuses on healing, prophecy and tongues – dedicating several of the later chapters to each and weaving them naturally into his life stories. For every gift, he includes scriptural references, at times quoting extensively from the Bible and at others offering exposition. That said, the writing itself is accessible and engaging rather than academic, making the book approachable for readers who may be new to exploring faith. For those already familiar with the life and ministry of Jesus or the work of the Spirit, it may feel a little light in places. 

As a light spiritual memoir, this book will likely appeal most to those already familiar with Cahusac and his ministry. As an introduction to the work of the Holy Spirit for new seekers, however, it faces strong competition from other titles that explore the subject with greater depth and clarity. And for readers looking for a book on the theology of the Spirit, I would certainly look elsewhere.

Catching His Breath: Learning to live a Spirit-filled life (Muddy Pearl) by Bill Cahusac is out now