January Challenge- Breath Prayer

THE BREATH PRAYER CHALLENGE:

(1) Put into practice the breath prayer at least once each day in one of the following ways:

(A) Right before your regular prayer as a way to help focus on God during your prayer.

(B) Pick a time during the day or when you are doing an activity when you often feel too rushed and use this prayer as a way to help slow down and make sure that your focus remains on God and on His direction.

(C) Schedule multiple times of the day (maybe put in on your calendar or have your phone remind you throughout the day) and use the Breath Prayer as a way to "pray without ceasing." How often could you "stop" and pray this prayer throughout the day?

(2) Write about which of the 3 ways you are trying the Breath Prayer and how it is going in the comment section of this post. What makes it hard? Does it help? Help one another put this Discipleship technique into practice!

THE PRACTICE:

The Breath prayer has been practiced by the church for millennia. It is one way that the followers of the Christ have tried to put into practice Paul's instruction to "pray without ceasing." One repeats a single sentence of prayer (praying part of it as you breathe in, part as you breathe out). And then you repeat that prayer multiple times as you breathe (remaining focused on your words and on God).

One common breath prayer is: (breathe in) "Lord Jesus Christ," (breathe out) "have mercy on me," (then repeat).

WHEN & WHY?:

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

(1) It is a good prayer to do right before your regular prayers in order to focus on God and stop all the distractions going on in your mind. After you do the Breath prayer for a short period of time, start your regular prayers of Thanksgiving, Adoration, Confession, and/or Intercession. If you find yourself getting distracted again, return to the Breath Prayer. [Colossians 3: 1-4; Hebrews 12: 1-2]

(2) The Breath Prayer is a good way to help slow down our pace and make sure that we are focused on God. Think about a time of the day when you are super busy, or distracted, or just "going through the motions." During those moments, stop, and take a few minutes to refocus your attention on God with the Breath Prayer. [Matthew 6:33-34; Psalm 123]

(3) Paul writes in Scripture that we should pray 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 schedule the Breath Prayer 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.