Prayer is a fundamental spiritual discipline, but there are times words escape us. Anxiety is too high, the situation is too complex, or it has been too long since we’ve graced God’s doorstep to piece together a conversation. There are several prayer practices that can address this common experience, like silence, or allowing the Spirit to “intercede for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26). Breath Prayer is another helpful practice when our being longs to commune with God, but we need help doing so.
A breath prayer is a prayer you pray as you breathe. It is one sentence split between the inhale and the exhale. Some pray their breath prayer for 5 minutes to start the day. Others pray it as they remember to do so throughout the day, perhaps hundreds of times. The repetition of the prayer regulates breathing, which has many health benefits, and brings the specificity of the need to mind. This pressing prayer infusing our very breath is a means of peace and helps us to become more acutely aware of how God may be responding to it.
I find it most helpful to craft a breath prayer in response to Jesus’s question to Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46-52. Bartimaeus is blind and begging on the road when he sees Jesus through the crowd. He shouts persistently to get Jesus’s attention until eventually Jesus calls him over and asks him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
Bartimaeus answers, “Rabbi, I want to see” (v. 51).
As a result, Bartimaeus is healed and follows Jesus.
Imagine Jesus asks you this question, “What do you want me to do for you?” How would you answer? What is your one, urgent need for God in this moment?
The next step is to transform that pressing need into a breath prayer, like [Inhale] Rabbi / [Exhale] I want to see.
This approach to composing a breath prayer first identifies the characteristic or title of God you need most in this moment, like Rabbi, which will become the inhale. A list of ideas is attached below, all derived from the Bible. The second half, the exhale, is the expression of your deep need, like “I want to see.”
Here are some examples:
[Inhale] “Strong Tower” / [Exhale] “give me support to stand.”
[Inhale] “Mother bear” / [Exhale] “scare this temptation from my life.”
[Inhale] “Man of Sorrows” / [Exhale] “be present in my pain.”
[Inhale] “Lord of the Harvest” / [Exhale] “grow the seeds we’ve planted in ______.”
[Inhale] “Radiant Wisdom” / [Exhale] “reveal to me the beautiful things.”
Breath this prayer until it is no longer your most pressing need. Journal where you experience God responding to it. May this practice bring you peace.
Some Names of God:
Alpha and Omega
Master
Shepherd
ABBA/Father
Almighty/El Shaddai
Ancient of Days
Commander (of Angel Armies)
I AM
Judge
King of Kings
Potter
Creator
Lord of the Harvest
Lion of Judah
Consuming Fire
Head of the Church
Governor
Everlasting Father
God Over All/Sovereign One
Refiner’s Fire
Strong Tower
Source
YHWH
Rock
Majesty
Jesus Christ
Lily of the Valley
God Who Sees
Emmanuel
Messiah/Anointed One
Hiding Place
Purifier
High Priest
Bread of Life
Shield
Living Water
Man of Sorrows
Breath
Lamb of God
Refuge
Dwelling Place
Healer
Intercessor
Merciful God
Mother Bear
Nursing Mother
Mother Eagle
Rabbi
Shepherd of Souls
Light of the World
Carpenter
Temple
True Light
Vine
Wisdom
Word
Morning Star
Spirit of Truth
Cornerstone
Counselor
Guide
Head of the Body
The Door
Mediator
Faithful Witness
Foundation
Fountain of Living Waters
Gentle Whisper
Comforter
Friend
Shepherd
Mother
Laboring Mother
Mother Hen
Love
Radiance
Husband
Prince of Peace
Bridegroom
Servant
Song
Diadem of Beauty
Prayer is a fundamental spiritual discipline, but there are times words escape us. Anxiety is too high, the situation is too complex, or it has been too long since we've graced God's doorstep to piece...
