Lenten Prayer Practice: Breath Prayer

Prayer can be as natural to us as breathing. Breath prayers are done anytime, and anywhere, helping us become aware of God’s constant loving presence with us. Breathing can help us reduce anxiety, reduce stress, and improve our mood.

Forming a Breath Prayer:

1. Choose your favorite or most natural name for God. (Loving God, Shepherd, Holy Father, Blessed Jesus, Eternal Light, Almighty God, etc)

2. Imagine God calling you by name and asking “______, what do you most want?” Answer God honestly with whatever word or phrase comes from deep within you. (peace, love, rest, guidance, assurance, safety, etc.)

3. Combine your word or phrase with your favorite name for God to form a brief prayer of six to eight syllables that flow smoothly.

Loving God, fill me with your peace.

Eternal Light, guide me in your way.

My Shepherd, let me feel your love.

Practice Breathing: Smell the Flowers, Blow Out the Candles

Breathe in deeply and slowly through your nose. Focus on filling your lower lungs completely so that your stomach expands while your upper chest remains still. As you inhale, imagine breathing in the breath of life and all the goodness and blessings of God.

Breathe out slowly through your mouth. Empty your lungs fully. As you exhale, imagine breathing out anything that feels toxic to your mind, body, or Spirit. Relax your body, and let go of hurt, worry, stress, frustration, and fear.

Repeat a few times as you bring your breathing to a slow, steady rhythm.

Add Your Breath Prayer:

Inhale: Continuing breathing slowly as you pray. Fill your lungs as you say the first part of your prayer.

Exhale: Empty your lungs slowly as you say the second part of your prayer.

Meditate on the words as you breathe to the rhythm of the prayer.

Repeat the breath prayer, inhaling and exhaling slowly, for at least one minute. Try to work up to five minutes.

The Yahweh Breath Prayer

Another form of breath prayer is to breathe God's name. The pronunciation for the Jewish name for God, Yahweh, attempts to mimic the sound of breathing. In this prayer, "Yahweh" isn't spoken, it's breathed with an open mouth and throat. Inhale - Yah; Exhale - Weh. Breathe deeply and slowly, focusing on the syllables. You can let them soften as you repeat the prayer until you find yourself in quiet meditation.

During the Wednesday Morning Prayer time in Lent, a book of devotions with accompanying breath prayers will be available if you'd like to practice. After Lent the book will be available in the Prayer Room, across from Pastor John's office, in the hallway West of the Sanctuary.

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During this season of Lent, we invite you to join us for Morning Prayer Time on Wednesday mornings from 6-8 am. This is an opportunity for contemplative meditation and intercessory prayer, with a structured devotional and opportunity for healing prayer each Wednesday from 6:30-7 am. (Please plan to enter in the East door.)