Breath Prayer is an ancient form of prayer that uses short, easy to remember phrases coupled with our breath to help us center ourselves and focus on God. Breath prayer does not go on and on asking for specific things for specific situations. There is nothing wrong with praying specific prayers, but the goal for breath prayer is to spend time in God’s Presence seeking to know God and to be known. Anchoring ourselves in God so we can remain anchored throughout our day.
A breath prayer is usually written in two phrases, one for the inhale, one for the exhale.
EXAMPLE:
My God who rescues, I trust You for relief. (from Psalm 22)
Inhale a deep breath, feel your lungs expand, fill yourself completely.
Then say: My God who rescues,
Exhale slowly, releasing all the air,
and say: I trust You for relief.
OTHER EXAMPLES:
From Psalm 74
Inhale: God, my king from ages past,
Exhale: bring salvation to me.
From Psalm 88
Inhale: God of my salvation
Exhale: be with me in the darkness. (replace darkness with any word that describes your situation: loneliness, fear, uncertainty, disappointment.)
From 1 John 1:5
Inhale: God who is only light
Exhale: help me see your light in this darkness.
From Hebrews 13:8
Inhale: Jesus,
Exhale: You never change.
Other resources for Breath Prayer
Osheta Moore leads a breath prayer time every weekday morning on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/oshetamoore/
A newsletter from Sarah Bessey describing Breath Prayer:
https://sarahbessey.substack.com/p/breath-prayers-for-anxious-times