Today I want to share with you a spiritual secret that has been quietly transforming lives for centuries. It’s a practice so simple, yet so profound, that it’s often overlooked. It’s a practice that’s as natural and essential as breathing itself. Yes, you guessed it – we’re diving into the world of Breath Prayer!
Now, you might be wondering, “What on earth is a Breath Prayer?” Well, let’s start with the basics right away.
1. What is a Breath Prayer?
A Breath Prayer is a form of contemplative prayer. Now, what does that mean? Contemplative prayer is a way of praying that goes beyond words. It’s about being with God, resting in His presence, and opening our hearts to His love. It’s a way of praying that invites us into intimate communion with our Creator.
But what makes a Breath Prayer unique? Well, it’s a prayer that you carry with you throughout your day. It’s a prayer that is as constant and life-giving as your very breath. It’s a spiritual exercise that aligns beautifully with the teachings of St. Ignatius, who encouraged us to find God in all things – even in our very breath!
Now, let’s look at the Bible. In the Psalms, we see a beautiful example of a breath prayer. The Psalmist cries out, “Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy.“ (Psalm 86:6). Can you see it? This heartfelt plea to God could easily be a breath prayer.
Imagine the Psalmist whispering these words with each breath, drawing closer to God with each repetition. It’s a prayer that’s woven into the fabric of their day, a constant reminder of God’s presence.
2. How to Do a Breath Prayer
Breath prayer is a spiritual exercise that is as simple as it is profound. It’s a form of prayer that is accessible to everyone, regardless of age or experience. So, how do you do a breath prayer? Let’s break it down into easy-to-follow steps.
Step 1: Choose a Name for God
The first part of a breath prayer is addressing God. You might choose to simply say, “Lord” or you might choose a name that speaks to your current spiritual journey. Perhaps you need to experience God as your “Shepherd” your “Healer” or your “Peace.” The Bible is full of beautiful names for God that can inspire your breath prayer.
Step 2: Identify Your Heart’s Desire
The second part of a breath prayer is expressing your deepest desire to God. This could be a plea for mercy, a cry for help, a word of thanks, or a statement of trust. The key is to be honest and authentic. What is your heart longing to say to God?
Step 3: Combine the Two
Now, combine the name of God and your heart’s desire into a simple phrase. This phrase will become your breath prayer.
Step 4: Sync with Your Breath
Finally, sync your breath prayer with your breathing. As you inhale, silently say the name of God. As you exhale, silently express your heart’s desire. Repeat this with each breath.
Here’s a table to illustrate this process:
| Step | Action | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Choose a Name for God | “Lord” |
| 2 | Identify Your Heart’s Desire | “Give me strength” |
| 3 | Combine the Two | “Lord, give me strength” |
| 4 | Sync with Your Breath | Inhale: “Lord”, Exhale: “Give me strength” |
This is just one example of a breath prayer. The beauty of this practice is that it can be personalized to your own spiritual journey. You might choose a phrase from scripture that speaks to you, or a simple prayer from your own heart.
Remember, the goal of a breath prayer is not to achieve a certain state of mind or to have a particular experience. The goal is simply to be with God, to draw near to Him with each breath.
3. Good Examples of Prayer – Breath Prayer Edition
Breath prayers are a beautiful way to keep our hearts attuned to God throughout the day. They are simple, yet profound, and can be drawn from scripture or from the depths of our own hearts. Let’s delve into some examples that you might find helpful in your spiritual journey.
- “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.“ This is known as the Jesus Prayer, a classic example of a breath prayer. It’s a humble recognition of our need for God’s mercy, and a powerful way to connect with Jesus throughout the day. This prayer echoes the heart of the tax collector in Luke 18:13, who prayed, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” It’s a prayer that acknowledges our human frailty and our divine dependence.
- “Abba, I belong to you.“ This prayer comes from Romans 8:15, where Paul writes about our adoption as children of God. “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’” It’s a beautiful reminder of our identity in Christ, and a comforting affirmation of our belonging in God’s family.
- “Come, Holy Spirit.” This is a simple prayer, but don’t let its simplicity fool you. It’s a powerful invitation for the Holy Spirit to work in our lives. It echoes the words of Jesus in Luke 11:13, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” It’s a prayer that opens our hearts to the transformative power of the Spirit.
- “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.“ This prayer comes from the story of Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:9. It’s a prayer of openness and attentiveness to God’s voice. It’s a prayer that says, “I’m here, Lord. I’m listening. Speak to me.”
- “Be still, and know that I am God.“ This prayer is taken directly from Psalm 46:10. It’s a prayer of surrender, of letting go and letting God. It’s a prayer that invites us into the peace and stillness of God’s presence.
- “Jesus, I trust in You.“ This prayer is a powerful affirmation of faith, echoing the words of the Divine Mercy devotion. It’s a prayer that can be a source of comfort and strength in times of trial.
- “Father, thank You.” This prayer is a simple expression of gratitude. It’s a prayer that cultivates a heart of thankfulness, acknowledging God’s goodness in our lives.
These are just a few examples of breath prayers. The beauty of this practice is that it can be personalized to your own spiritual journey. You might choose a phrase from scripture that speaks to you, or a simple prayer from your own heart. The key is to find a prayer that resonates with you, and to let it become a rhythm of your day, a rhythm of your breath, a rhythm of your life.
4. Breath Prayer – A Spiritual Exercise for Daily Life
Breath prayer is a spiritual exercise that can be practiced anywhere, anytime. It’s like a mindfulness exercise, but with a Christian twist. It’s a way of bringing our attention back to God in the midst of our busy lives. It’s a form of Christian meditation that invites us into a deeper relationship with God.
Consider the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” Now, that’s a tall order! How can we possibly pray without ceasing? Well, breath prayer is one way to do just that. With each inhale and exhale, we can be in communion with God, our prayers woven into the very fabric of our day.
Breath prayer is also a wonderful tool for spiritual direction. As we pay attention to the prayers that rise up within us, we can gain insight into where God is at work in our lives. It’s a practice that can help us discern God’s will and align our hearts with His.
Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:6, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.” Breath prayer can be that ‘room’ for us, a sacred space within our hearts where we can meet with God.
And let’s not forget about the power of breath prayer in times of stress or anxiety. When the storms of life are raging, breath prayer can be an anchor for our souls. Just as Jesus calmed the storm in Mark 4:39, our breath prayers can bring peace to the storms within us.
5. Breath Prayer and Ignatian Spirituality
Breath prayer is a spiritual practice that beautifully complements the principles of Ignatian spirituality. St. Ignatius of Loyola, a man of profound spiritual insight, encouraged us to find God in all things. And what could be more “all things” than our very breath?
The breath prayer is a spiritual exercise that aligns perfectly with the Ignatian spiritual exercises. It’s a practice that encourages us to seek God in the ordinary moments of our day, to find Him in the rhythm of our breathing.
St. Ignatius was a strong advocate for the daily examen prayer, a reflective practice that invites us to discern God’s presence in our daily lives. As we inhale and exhale, repeating our chosen prayer phrase, we can center ourselves. This centeredness prepares us for the examen, allowing us to review our day with a spirit of gratitude and discernment.
The breath prayer, in its simplicity, echoes the Ignatian emphasis on interior freedom. St. Ignatius believed that we are called to freedom, to a life that is not bound by unnecessary attachments. The breath prayer, with its focus on the present moment and on God’s presence, can help us to let go of our worries and distractions. It invites us into a space of freedom, where we can be fully present with God.
In the Bible, we find a verse that beautifully captures this Ignatian principle. In 2 Corinthians 3:17, it says, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” This verse reminds us that our freedom comes from God’s Spirit, the same Spirit that we invite into our lives as we practice the breath prayer.
Breath prayer also aligns with the Ignatian emphasis on discernment. St. Ignatius believed that we can discern God’s will for us by paying attention to our inner movements – our thoughts, feelings, and desires. As we practice the breath prayer, we become more attuned to these inner movements. We become more aware of how God is speaking to us in the depths of our hearts.
6. Contemplative Prayer Techniques and Breath Prayer
Breath prayer is a beautiful part of the rich tapestry of contemplative prayer techniques within Christian spirituality. It’s a simple yet profound practice that invites us into a deeper communion with God. But it’s not the only technique that can help us deepen our relationship with the Divine.
Lectio Divina, for instance, is a method of praying with scripture. It involves reading a passage slowly, meditating on it, praying about it, and finally, resting in God’s presence. This practice allows the Word of God to penetrate our hearts and transform our lives. It’s like a conversation with God, where we listen to His voice in the scriptures and respond in prayer.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
Centering Prayer is another contemplative practice that invites us into silence and stillness with God. It’s a method of prayer that encourages us to let go of our own thoughts and desires and simply rest in God’s presence. It’s a way of surrendering to God, of letting Him be at the center of our lives.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
Christian Meditation is a practice that helps us focus our minds and hearts on God. It’s a way of being present with God, of paying attention to His presence in our lives. It’s a practice that can help us cultivate a deeper awareness of God’s love and grace.
“Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.” (1 Timothy 4:15)
Each of these contemplative prayer techniques has its own unique flavor, but they all invite us into a deeper communion with God. They’re all ways of slowing down, of paying attention, of being present with God. And isn’t that what prayer is all about?
7. Breath Prayer – A Path to Mindfulness in Christian Spirituality
In our fast-paced, always-on society, the concept of mindfulness has gained significant attention. And rightly so! Mindfulness, the practice of being fully present and engaged in the moment, is a powerful antidote to the stress and distraction of modern life. But did you know that mindfulness is not just a secular concept? It’s deeply rooted in Christian spirituality, and breath prayer is a beautiful path to cultivating mindfulness in our faith journey.
Breath prayer, with its rhythmic repetition and focus on the present moment, naturally fosters mindfulness. As we inhale and exhale, repeating our chosen prayer phrase, we are invited to be fully present. We are not worrying about the future or regretting the past. We are here, now, with God.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10). This well-known verse from the Psalms could be considered a biblical endorsement of mindfulness. Being still, knowing God, requires us to be fully present. And what better way to practice this than with a breath prayer?
Breath prayer also aligns beautifully with the biblical concept of “praying without ceasing” found in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. How can we possibly pray without ceasing? Well, breath prayer offers a way. As we align our prayers with our breath, prayer becomes as constant and essential as breathing. We are, in a very real sense, praying without ceasing.
But the benefits of breath prayer go beyond the moments of prayer itself. As we cultivate mindfulness through breath prayer, we might find that we become more aware of God’s presence in other areas of our lives. We might find that we’re more attentive to His voice in scripture, more aware of His presence in creation, more attuned to His work in our lives.
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27). Jesus tells us that His followers know His voice. But to hear His voice, we need to be listening. We need to be present. Breath prayer, as a practice of mindfulness, can help us tune into the voice of our Good Shepherd.
8. Conclusion – Embracing the Breath Prayer in Your Spiritual Journey
The practice of Breath Prayer is a powerful spiritual exercise that invites us into a deeper relationship with God. It’s a form of prayer that is as constant and life-giving as our very breath, and it can be practiced anywhere, anytime. This practice is deeply rooted in Christian tradition, with examples found in the Bible and in the teachings of spiritual leaders like St. Ignatius.
Breath Prayer is a form of contemplative prayer that aligns beautifully with other Christian spiritual practices, such as the Ignatian spiritual exercises and the daily examen prayer. It’s a tool for spiritual direction, helping us to discern God’s will and align our hearts with His.
Moreover, Breath Prayer is a path to mindfulness in Christian spirituality, helping us to be present with God and attentive to His presence in our lives. Whether you’re new to this practice or a seasoned practitioner, Breath Prayer can be a source of comfort, strength, and guidance in your spiritual journey.
