There’s not a day go by, that I do not turn to prayer.
A word, for the moment, or a season of focused thought.
But those words of Martin Luther, are here to stay,
“To the Christian, every sigh is a prayer.”
Breathe in, breathe out, that life sustaining flow
The tide comes in, bringing a fresh hope,
And then it goes out, taking the offering of the land.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Let that exhalation be your prayer.
But He breathed into us,
and we became a living soul
When we take that last breath,
Our final prayer will return to Him.
What will you want that prayer to say?
Perhaps the Lord said it best,
“Into thy hands I commit my Spirit.”
Then He breathed his last. [Luke 23:46]
His prayer? I’m sure we could extrapolate.
“My time of completion is now here.
There’s nothing left for me to do,
But I breathe out. Into Your Hands…I commit…My Spirit.”
That last breath, it’s what we all work forward to.
Every breath here has purpose, an aim, a calling
If with every exhalation we pray,
Then our time will come some day. One Last Prayer.
Someone else came up with the term “Breath Prayers.”
It’s really been a focus of mine.
When time extracts it’s toll, and I’m restless
Could it be everything is mended with a Breath Prayer?
Breathe in that life sustaining flow.
Breathe out the gasses our body works hard to expel.
Breathe in His Purpose and Calling
Breathe out the results of our hard work.
Paul tells the church to Pray without ceasing [1 Thessalonians 5:17].
He tells us the church should “continue” in prayer [Colossians 4:2].
Just like he prayed without ceasing for the church in Rome [Romans 1:9].
Or for Thessalonica day and night so that he may
see them soon to continue their perfection [1 Thessalonians 3:10].
Is it possible for you and I to have a focus of prayer?
Can prayer to be uttered constantly, day and night,
Without seemingly letting the event of prayer interfere
Until the Spirit calls us to pause?
I remember those we have often called Prayer Warriors.
Sitting, kneeling, or laying out on the floor around a personal altar.
Their hearts, minds, and bodies were focused on the “event” of prayer.
Their words were important, but that’s not the only way they prayed!
I’m certain they knew about Breath Prayers
Even if they could not put it into words.
If we can give thanks for everything,
Then we can learn to pray without ceasing. [1 Thessalonians 5:16-18]
Perhaps this is how we can have Breath Prayers!
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 they bring life and death [Proverbs 18:21, James 3:6-9]. But the intent behind the words is crucial.
- When dealing with someone who is dumping their woes onto your plate, instead of commiserating with them, why not breath a prayer like this: “Show me his heart…“
- When dealing with the confusion someone might be feeling, “Show me his mind…“
- To someone who is seemingly 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…“
Do you have another thought to add? Please, share!
Our Favorite Prayer Thought From Jesus
Matthew 6:1-15 NKJV
“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men,
to be seen by them.
Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
Therefore, when you do a charitable deed,
do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do
in the synagogues and in the streets,
that they may have glory from men.
Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
But when you do a charitable deed,
do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
that your charitable deed may be in secret;
and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites.
For they love to pray standing in the synagogues
and on the corners of the streets,
that they may be seen by men.
Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
But you, when you pray, go into your room,
and when you have shut your door,
pray to your Father who is in the secret place;
and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do.
For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
“Therefore do not be like them.
For your Father knows the things you have need of
before you ask Him.
In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom
and the power
and the glory forever. Amen. “
For if you forgive men their trespasses,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men their trespasses,
neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.