Introduction to Breath Prayers
Breath prayers are called such because they align with breathing.
This devotional piece is not built for lengthy explanations, so let it suffice to say that the prayers parallel your inhale and exhale; focus on one phrase while breathing in, on another while breathing out.
Celebration of Discipline author Richard Foster calls them “prayers of the heart.” Every day gives you two, one in the primary devotion and another with the psalm of the day’s scripture meditation.
Prayer Prompt
John 14:23
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
BREATH
PRAYER
(while inhaling): Come Father....
(while exhaling): ... make your home with me ....
Repeat 5 to 10 times.
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 119: Immersed in the Word of God
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 119:33-40 5th letter: He (ה)
- Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end. - Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart. - Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight. - Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain. - Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word. - Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared. - Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good. - How I long for your precepts!
In your righteousness preserve my life.
Read the versus of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Teaching or Command of God
Ephesians 5:1-2
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
The Promise
Ezekiel 36:26-27
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
Pondering Point
Go through this prayer 5-10 times using the Breath Prayer technique:
BREATH
PRAYER
(while inhaling): Give me understanding....
(while exhaling): ... to obey with my heart ....
Repeat 5 to 10 times.