Breath Prayer: Introduction In The Christian Tradition

Pray without ceasing.

Those simple words from 1 Thessalonians 5.

17.

Have inspired Christians for centuries.

To wonder what it might look like to remain connected to God.

Throughout the day.

I'm Jess Bielman,

And I want to introduce you to a simple practice called breath prayer.

A breath prayer combines prayer with the natural rhythm of your breathing.

As you breathe in,

You silently,

Or under your breath,

Pray a short word or phrase.

And as you breathe out,

You pray another simple word or phrase.

It's a simple way of bringing your attention back to God again and again.

Throughout your day.

To pray without ceasing.

One of the breath prayers I often use in my meditations is to breathe in my heart seeks.

And breathe out and finds peace.

You might also breathe in,

My heart seeks you.

Breathe out and finds rest.

Or finds the spirit.

Or finds love.

Let's try it together.

Breathe in.

My heart seeks.

Breathe out.

And finds.

Peace.

The Scriptures are full.

Scriptures that we can use for breath prayer.

How about this one?

Take a slow breath in.

And breathe in,

Be still.

And breathe out.

And no.

Again.

Breathe in,

Be still.

Breathe out.

And now.

How about from Psalm 23,

Breathe in.

The Lord is my shepherd.

Breathe out,

I shall not want.

Sometimes.

I do them under my breath.

Sometimes I do them out loud.

But the rhythm of just breathing in a phrase and breathing out a phrase is what's most important.

Breathe in,

Come Holy Spirit.

Breathe out and fill me anew.

You can breathe in your kingdom come.

Breathe out,

Your will be done.

Breath Prayer is a simple tool you can carry with you wherever you go.

When you're overwhelmed.

Anxious,

Distracted,

Or simply need a pause.

Can take a breath.

And breath prayer can help you reconnect with yourself.

Call on the Spirit.

And remember God's presence in the midst of your day.

Sometimes.

Per doesn't need to be many words.

Sometimes it begins.

With a single breath.