Breath Prayer

Breath Prayer has been used by the church for centuries and is a great tool to re-center our focus back to God, especially in the midst of stress or anxiety. I love it because it is really easy & can be done anywhere & anytime!

STEP 1: Choose a simple scripture verse or phrase between 8-12 syllables that is easy to remember. For this example, we will use “Be still and know that I am God.”

STEP 2: Take a moment to quiet your heart & body. Sometimes closing your eyes helps. Take a few deep breaths & pay attention to your breathing. Breathe deep enough to feel it in your ribs & diaphragm. We often don’t take the time to breathe this deeply, but it releases more oxygen to your brain & helps relax the body.

STEP 3: As you inhale, either to yourself or out loud, repeat the first part of the verse or phrase. As you exhale, repeat the second half of the verse or phrase.
** Inhale – ‘be still and know…’
** Exhale – ‘….that I am God.’

Do this 6-7 times or more, taking as long as you need to connect with God. Oftentimes, I like to turn the prayer around as my response back to God.
** Inhale: “I am still & know…”, **Exhale: “…that you are God.”

Some other phrases or verses often used are, “You are my Shepherd, You comfort me.”; “I cast my cares on You, for You care for me.”; “Your hand upholds me, my strength is You.”

It’s a form of ‘praying without ceasing’ & can be done throughout your day or whenever you feel the need to pull back, re-calibrate & bring calm to the chaos.

What are some of your favorite verses or phrases to use during breath prayer? Comment below!