A few years back, when my schedule was heavy with taking classes, all the while pastoring a church and being a good family man, I was contemplating how to get everything done that I needed to be involved in. From personal study time to preparing for church services and trying to be a good husband, father, and son, I came across something that may simply be how I look at things. Differently, it caught my attention.
Could this be an answer to part of my ongoing desire to be better at life?
Think about it like this… Morning time is often your getting up and getting ready to face the day, which may include breakfast, cleansing, devotions, and other pesky details. Some may harshly say that if you need more morning time, get up earlier. That works for some, but it’s not the end-all solution for everyone.
How do you face the day better prepared?
Let’s pick on prayer for a moment. How much time do you pray when you say, “It’s time to pray.” 5 minutes. An hour. Or do you commit the need to God and pray for however long the need requires? We know that Prayer is simply communicating with God. How much of God’s time do you need? Do you have enough time to talk to him about everything on your plate?
Well. In my studies, this quote came to my attention.
To the Christian,
even a sigh is a prayer.
~Martin Luther
I thought about this for a long time. I remember it stopped my day, and I started thinking about this simple statement.
Research. Read. Think. Pray about it…
Someone else came up with the term “Breath Prayers,” and I’ve really been thinking about how this could work. Every sigh is essentially the exhalation of a breath. We breathe in. Out. Bring in life-saving oxygen. Exhale the gasses our body does not need. Breathing in or out can essentially contain a prayer.
Praying People Pray
We see people and problems around us, and we flag them onto our calendar or our “to-do” list. “I need to handle this!” The next time I pray, it shows up on my list, the next time I write, preach or teach – yep. It’s a focus!
But here’s a thought that is important to consider if you are a praying person.
People who pray every day are not necessarily praying people.
Everyday prayers are simply a sign that you can.
Praying people commit to praying every day, all day.
Paul tells the church to Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). He’s not done with the subject! He tells us the church should “continue” in prayer (Colossians 4:2). This indicates an “ongoing” praying process. Just like he prayed without ceasing for the church in Rome (Romans 1:9). Or how he prayed for Thessalonica day and night so that he may see them soon to continue their perfection (1 Thessalonians 3:10).
How is it possible for prayer to be uttered constantly, day and night,
without seemingly letting the event of prayer interfere
with the rest of our life?
It seems all we know is prayer requires a closet (storehouse), or a designated room at church or home, or a specially carved-out niche of time.
I remember my grandmother praying at various times throughout the day, sitting in her Bentley rocker. Then I remember my mom going to the back room of the house, closing the door, and spending a great deal of time in prayer. Equally, I remember going to church and finding others praying, even in the middle of the night. Where? Generally laying on the floor behind the altar or under a pew in times of travailing prayer.
Could It Be This Simple?
Could it be that Martin Luther hit upon the simple thought that every sigh, every exhalation of breath, could contain a prayer? What if prayer could be as simple as a sigh of breath leaving our bodies?
Perhaps this is how we can have Breath Prayers!
How long does it take for a breath to leave our body? How many words can I say with that process? So, exercise this thought and listen for your breath, in, out, and calculate: How Long Did It Take?
Perhaps a breath prayer can only be a simple thought or a few syllables. Maybe even a couple of words. Jesus taught against prayer being the act of “much speaking” (Matthew 6:7). But with God, it does not take a lot to find an answer! Just a few words or syllables uttered on the exhalation of breath is a mighty prayer.
Just the thought of the need, and our God who knows the “thoughts and intents” (Hebrews 4:12) of the heart. Well, now you’ve done it! You’ve just prayed!
You do not even have to compose a thought or phrase… Notice that Hebrews says the “intent” of the heart? Words are important and bring life and death (Proverbs 18:21, James 3:6-9).
How Do We Do It?
So. Let me give you a couple of examples of what I’m talking about.
- When dealing with someone who is dumping their woes onto your plate, instead of commiserating with them, why not breathe a prayer like this: “Show me his heart…. “
- When dealing with the confusion others are feeling: “Show me his mind…. “
- To someone about to make a major choice in life that might not be entirely the best choice: “Into thy hands…. “
- To someone who is desperately in need of a blessing from God: “Bless him, Lord…. “
These pre-defined words or phrases could be something you breathe to God; by doing so, you bring God into the problem through your Breath Prayer.
Why not try a “breath prayer” today? Right now. Your next breath. Pray for me, and be assured I’m praying for you.
“To the Christian, even a sigh is a prayer. ~Martin Luther
How many breath prayers have you prayed?”