Breath Prayer

Today I want to share the concept of "breath prayer", a way of prayer "without ceasing" which has deeply affected my relationship with God and the living out of that. This needn't supplant your other prayer or spiritual practices, but offers a powerful foundation for your life in God. If you aren't a "pray-er", indulge me for a few minutes. :)

Sit quietly for a few minutes, breathing slowly and deeply, settling into the depths of yourself, with the intention to listen for the Spirit to give you the prayer you most need just now. ("The Spirit prays within us...") Picture God, in whatever image you use, being before you, calling you by name, and asking "__________, what do you want?" Allow yourself to open to that question. Do you want healing? peace? openness of mind and heart? Freedom? Guidance? Choose a name by which you will address God, e.g. Dear Father, Creator, Holy One, Lord Jesus, etc. After your time with God, choose one petition, put the name with it, and repeat the phrase over and over as often as you think of it. It might be "Dear God, give me hope" or "Set me free, Lord Jesus" or "Spirit of Life, fill me" or "Show me Your way, O God". Mainly, keep the phrase short--4-8 syllables--so you can easily and rhythmically repeat it.

At first the prayer will "inhabit" your mouth. That is, you will have to verbally repeat it until you are really used to it. At length, it will "move" into your head, then drop into your heart, where it will almost pray itself with your breath. It is important to work with one phrase for a while, say a month, before leaving it for a different one. But when the time comes, the prayer will almost change itself, helping you to see what you *now* need most.

There is no need to match the prayer to your breathing. Just keep saying it, especially at times when you are waiting--for a train, in a line, going to sleep.Even though the petition may seem self-centered, you will be trusting the Holy Spirit to give you the prayer you need and it will empower you to be even more of a gift to those around you. When you get tired of repeating it to yourself, say it again and again.

I hope you'll give it a try, if you desire a deepened prayer life. Check out Romans 8 or II Thessalonians if you want Scriptural basis for this. If you are not Christian, perhaps your own holy writings will guide you. May you be blessed, today and always!