January Challenge- Breath Prayer

THE BREATH PRAYER CHALLENGE:

Try the Breath Prayer out at least once a day (1) right before you pray, (2) a time in the day when you are not very focused on seeking God’s direction, or (3) to as a way to pray more often during the day (see below under When & Why). Then write about which way you are trying the prayer and how it is going in the comment section of this challenge here on our webpage. Help encourage others in this practice!

THE PRACTICE:

Breath prayers are short, simple prayers to be prayed in rhythm with your breathing. They’re often used to calm the mind, focus the heart and stay aware of God’s presence throughout the day.

You pray a breath pray by:

-Inhale slowly – pray the first phrase

-Exhale slowly – pray the second phrase

A couple of examples of breath prayers using simple phrases, or Scripture are:

-Inhale – Lord Jesus Christ

-Exhale – have mercy on me

[or]

-Inhale – The Lord is my Shepherd

-Exhale – I lack nothing

You can create your own by choosing:

-A name, or truth of God for the inhale

-A need, or response for the exhale

You do the prayer for a minute, or two.

WHEN & WHY:

There are really 3 reasons why you might put the Breath Prayer into practice.

(1) Use the Breath Prayer right before your regular prayers in order to focus on God and stop all the distractions in your mind. Then pray like you normally would. If you find yourself distracted in the middle of your actual prayer again, return to the Breath Prayer. [Colossians 3: 1-4; Hebrews 12: 1-2]

(2) Use the Breath Prayer during a time of the day you are super busy, easily distracted, or “going thru the motions.” Refocus your attention on God and what he might be wanting for you to do in this time. [Matthew 6:33-34; Psalm 123]

(3) Use the Breath Prayer to better put in practice praying without ceasing. One of the great things about the Breath Prayer is how you can do it while you are doing other things or for a few moments between tasks. You can even schedule the Breath Prayer on an alarm and do it repeatedly throughout the day! [1 Chronicles 16:11; 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18]

OTHER BREATH PRAYERS:

(1) Speak Lord. I am listening. [Based on 1 Samuel 3: 9]

(2) Lord you are the Potter. I am the clay. [Based on Isaiah 64: 8]

(3) Lord, shine your face on me. Lord, give me peace. [Based on Numbers 6: 25-28]

(4) Abba, I belong to You.

(5) Lord, here I am. Use me today.