breath prayer
This is from World Vision's Advent devotional:
Breath prayer
This week, we will engage in “breath prayer.” Adele Ahlberg Calhoun describes breath prayer in Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us:
“Breathing is an unconscious thing. And breath prayer reminds us that just as we
can’t live on one breath of air, we can’t live on one breath of God. God is the oxygen of our soul, and we need to breathe him in all day long. Breath prayer reminds us that each breath we are given is God’s gift and that God’s Spirit is nearer to us than our own breath.
“Breath prayer or ‘prayer of the heart’ has been practiced in the church for millennia. The Eastern Orthodox Church in particular has seen breath prayer as a way
of living out Paul’s instruction to ‘pray without ceasing.’
“To practice breath prayer, ponder the nearness of God. Settle deeply into the
truth that Christ is in you. Deeply breathe in, repeating any name of God that is
dear to you. As you exhale, voice a deep desire of your heart. When you exhale,
offer up the desire of your heart. The brevity of the prayer allows it to be repeated
over and over throughout the day.”
Feel the freedom to come up with whatever phrase you desire as you engage in breath
prayer. A common breath prayer comes from Luke 18:13, in which Jesus tells the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee. The tax collector prays, “God, have mercy on me,a sinner.” Jesus points to the humility of the tax collector and encourages others to take the same attitude. As a breath prayer, one would breathe in, saying “God” or “Jesus, Son of David” or “Abba.” Then, as you breathe out, say, “Have mercy on me, a sinner.”
As you reflect on the theme of hope this week, consider praying this breath prayer from Psalm 39:7: Breathe in “Father,” breathe out “My hope is in You.” Repeat this phrase as you breathe throughout the day and allow it to transform you.
I love this. Father, may I breathe more deeply of You. Breathe in Your hope, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control. Breathe out my negative attitude, my ungraceful reactions, worry, stress.
Breathe in gratitude.
Thank you for
17. sweet happy baby
18. gummy smiles
19. growling babble
20. sunny cold day
21. friends who are true and lovely of heart
22. preparing for Christ's coming
23. a simplified Christmas and Advent season
24. a husband who does the dishes
25. a husband who is always willing to grow
26. the way that Levi counts to 5 (1, 2, 3, 4... Mason's 4! He Spiderman. I Batman. Batman flies, Spiderman do webs.)
27. belly laughs
28. mom coming to babysit
29. Micah in bed peacefully asleep while Lori picks the boys up
30. a quiet house
Breath prayer
This week, we will engage in “breath prayer.” Adele Ahlberg Calhoun describes breath prayer in Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us:
“Breathing is an unconscious thing. And breath prayer reminds us that just as we
can’t live on one breath of air, we can’t live on one breath of God. God is the oxygen of our soul, and we need to breathe him in all day long. Breath prayer reminds us that each breath we are given is God’s gift and that God’s Spirit is nearer to us than our own breath.
“Breath prayer or ‘prayer of the heart’ has been practiced in the church for millennia. The Eastern Orthodox Church in particular has seen breath prayer as a way
of living out Paul’s instruction to ‘pray without ceasing.’
“To practice breath prayer, ponder the nearness of God. Settle deeply into the
truth that Christ is in you. Deeply breathe in, repeating any name of God that is
dear to you. As you exhale, voice a deep desire of your heart. When you exhale,
offer up the desire of your heart. The brevity of the prayer allows it to be repeated
over and over throughout the day.”
Feel the freedom to come up with whatever phrase you desire as you engage in breath
prayer. A common breath prayer comes from Luke 18:13, in which Jesus tells the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee. The tax collector prays, “God, have mercy on me,a sinner.” Jesus points to the humility of the tax collector and encourages others to take the same attitude. As a breath prayer, one would breathe in, saying “God” or “Jesus, Son of David” or “Abba.” Then, as you breathe out, say, “Have mercy on me, a sinner.”
As you reflect on the theme of hope this week, consider praying this breath prayer from Psalm 39:7: Breathe in “Father,” breathe out “My hope is in You.” Repeat this phrase as you breathe throughout the day and allow it to transform you.
I love this. Father, may I breathe more deeply of You. Breathe in Your hope, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control. Breathe out my negative attitude, my ungraceful reactions, worry, stress.
Breathe in gratitude.
Thank you for
17. sweet happy baby
18. gummy smiles
19. growling babble
20. sunny cold day
21. friends who are true and lovely of heart
22. preparing for Christ's coming
23. a simplified Christmas and Advent season
24. a husband who does the dishes
25. a husband who is always willing to grow
26. the way that Levi counts to 5 (1, 2, 3, 4... Mason's 4! He Spiderman. I Batman. Batman flies, Spiderman do webs.)
27. belly laughs
28. mom coming to babysit
29. Micah in bed peacefully asleep while Lori picks the boys up
30. a quiet house
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