A Breath Prayer
The end of another school year has come and gone in our home. It has been a busy few days with all the end-of-year events and everyone settling back in for the summer. I feel like I’ve been a little scattered and need a minute to take a deep breath and slow down. Maybe you need that, too, so I want to invite you to join me today as we check in with our bodies and offer a breath prayer.
Wherever you are, take a minute to plant your feet on the ground. Wiggle your toes and feel the ground beneath you. Take a deep breath. Let it fill your whole body. Close your eyes if you want.
Slowly breathe in and out.
Notice your body as you breathe. Are your shoulders relaxed, or are they tight? Are you clenching your teeth, or is your jaw relaxed? Do you feel tension anywhere in your body? Do you feel dehydrated? Are you hungry? Take a minute, pay attention to how your body feels, and notice what it needs.
Continue to slowly breathe in and out as you allow your body to relax and find a place of rest.
As we continue to breathe, we will connect Scripture to our breathing. Breathe deeply and slowly, allowing your lungs to fill and empty fully.
As you inhale, pray:
For the Lord is good,
As you exhale, pray:
and his faithful love endures forever.
Repeat this prayer as many times as you would like, allowing your mind to focus on this truth.
Hopefully, taking this time to notice what is happening in your body, breathing slowly to help settle your nervous system, and talking with Jesus will have you feeling at peace and ready for your day.
If you are curious to learn more about breath prayer, there are many books and resources on the topic. I like Jennifer Tucker’s book Breath as Prayer. She goes in-depth on what breath prayer is and its origins, explains various breathing techniques, and offers 84 short reflections and a breath prayer to accompany each. I think you will find her book to be an excellent addition to your library.
I hope you have a great week.
Melissa