Breath Prayers

Breath prayers are an attempt to yield to the biblical command to "pray without ceasing." The idea is to say part of the prayer as you inhale, and continue with the prayer as you exhale. The most famous of the breath prayers is "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner." My problem is small lungs, shallow breathing, or both, but that's a lot to fit into one of my breaths. To pray without ceasing may seem to be an impossible goal, but by making use of this discipline, one can enter into prayer as freely, and as instinctively as one breathes. Richard Foster gives some suggestions to help begin one's own distinct prayer:

• Allow God to call you by name
• Allow this question to surface, "What do you want?" Answer briefly and directly
• Connect this phrase with the most comfortable way you have of speaking about God
• Write your prayer, making sure it can be said in one breath.
• Adjust your prayer, perhaps shortening it even more
• Begin praying your breath prayer as often as possible.

Foster notes that most breath prayers are discovered more than created. After a period of time, you may want to consider if another message needs to be addressed, and adjust your breath prayer accordingly. (Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home p 122-123).

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, You are as near to us as our own breath. You breath life into dry bones, dry communities, and dry hope. As we breathe, let us incoporate our prayer into that life-giving action, and together create a stronger framework to encounter every day trials and triumphs as seen through your will. Until we can discover our own voice, let us share in needs of others that speak to us now.

God, guide me / Lord, take my hand / Lord, I need you /

Lord, be my Shepherd / Into Your hands, Lord /

Open my eyes, Lord / Have mercy on me, Lord /
God, teach me Your ways. / Father, give me wisdom. /

God, give me strength/ Father, Your will be done /

God, show me Your path / Lord, I can do this with Your help/
You are with me / I want to know you / For me to live is Christ /

You are my God / Fill me. Free me / With the help of the LORD

Let us pray without ceasing. Amen.