Breathing is central to how God made us.  Our first instinct after birth was to take a breath and fill our lungs with oxygen.  We didn’t have to be taught to breath, and we are not conscious of our breathing unless our lungs are somehow compromised, or oxygen is in short supply. 

 

From the earliest days of spiritual practices, breathwork was known to be life-giving.  Somehow, before modern medicine, spiritual leaders knew that when we are under stress, we tend to breathe less deeply.  And when under chronic stress, our bodies lose some of their capacity to take in the essential oxygen that all our bodily systems need to function effectively. 

 

Our brains are very compromised when we are not breathing as we should.  The emotional part of our brain begins to over function, and we are held hostage to our emotional pain, reactions, and misconceptions.  We lose our ability to use all the good things we know to communicate, reason, and think practically.  We fly off the handle, say things we regret, and/or freeze when we need to take action. 

 

Breathing intentionally – slowly, deeply, rhythmically – helps our bodies reset and prepares us to deal with the world. 

 

Breath work and mindfulness have become exceedingly popular practices in our culture – often to assist us in emptying ourselves so that we can find ourselves.  The difference between these practices and breath prayer is PRAYER.  Through prayer we connect with God.  We are intentionally moving beyond just giving ourselves the oxygen we need and allowing God to fill us with the Holy Spirit so that our thinking is clearer, our bodies are operating more effectively, and our souls are more peaceful.  Breath prayer allows God to do His healing work and for us to find His life-giving power. 

 

Breath prayer guidelines: 

 

• Pick a SHORT phrase from scripture, line from a devotional or poem, or any phrase that will help you focus on God.  This might be a word or phrase of gratitude, praise, request, cry for help, or anything you want to be the focal point of your time with God.  Don’t overthink this. 

Examples:   

“The Lord is my shepherd; I don’t need anything more” (Psalm 21:1) 

“Help Lord, I’m drowning!” 

Or simply “Yah-weh” 

 

• Sit quietly and breathe deeply for a few minutes.  Let your soul settle.  Focus on filling your lungs deeply, letting the breath out slowly, and emptying the lungs fully.  Let a breathing rhythm develop. 

 

• Now as you fill your lungs with breath, say in your head the first portion of your phrase – “The Lord is my shepherd.”  Hold your breath a few seconds and then as you exhale, finish the phrase – “I don’t need anything more.” 

 

• Repeat this process for at least one minute.  As you get used to the process, it will be easier to spend more time. 

 

Be creative with this process.  You don’t have to do it by simply sitting quietly.  Try it when you’re out walking.  Try it when you’re swimming.  Try it when you’re struggling to go to sleep.  Try it when you’re running late, and you’re stuck in the grocery line behind someone who can’t get the change together – maybe lifting a breath prayer for them. You can connect with God anywhere. 

 

 

*This content has been adapted from Jennifer Tucker’s beautiful devotional called “Breath as Prayer.”  Jennifer offers more instructional and background information, but also suggests phrases and offers a devotional to do along with each one.