breath prayer Breath Prayers (sometimes called Prayers of the Heart) are a way of praying that uses repetition of a word or phrase to set our mind and focus on God. It can be a very simple word or phrase that pours as easily out of our lips as our very breath.
The most well known Breath Prayer, also known as the Jesus Prayer, is a variation on the blind man's call to Jesus in Mark 10, "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner". Taking time to pray a Breath Prayer repeatedly throughout the day allows the meaning of the prayer to descend from our head to our heart. The focus does not stay on the content of the words prayed, but on the Presence of God drawing near as you set your mind on Him! |
how do I pray this way? |
1) Choose a name for God that is meaningful to you right now. Perhaps it is "Jesus", "Shepherd", "Father" or some other way you have been praying to Him lately.
2) Pay attention to what your desire for today may be. You may long to feel His nearness or to have Him cleanse you or to speak to you. 3) Whittle down your desire to one simple thought and combine it with your name for God. It may be, "Jesus, be near", "Holy Spirit, cleanse me", "Father, comfort me", etc. Keep it short; no more that 6-8 syllables in total. 4) Now pray! Once you've crafted your Breath Prayer, simply repeat the phrase under your breath for approximately 5 minutes. As you begin this discipline, you may even want to set a timer, so that you practice this for several minutes, but avoid the temptation to check a clock while praying! You can say the prayer in sync with your breath, inhaling while saying the name of God and exhaling your prayer of desire. Your mind will wander as you repeat the phrase. That is OK. Gently pull your mind back as many times as needed to the truth of the words and continue to repeat them. |
reflect on the prayer |
Afterwards, think back on your time in prayer. What shifted within your mind, body or spirit as you prayed in this way? How did God make himself known as you prayed? What sense of His presence did you have? You might want to journal about your time of prayer.
Stick with the Breath Prayer you made, by praying it daily until you sense a new Breath Prayer rising in you, or you feel a sense of completion around the desire you prayer. Using this as a tool in your prayer tool kit, you may be surprised to see this prayer rise up within you unbidden throughout the course of the day. God is birthing prayer in you! |