Breathe
Pastor Jason Today, join me in what I call Breath Prayer. I have used this way of praying for about a decade now. I find it comforting, calming, and centering in my life and in my relationship to God. Here is how it works:
Step 1:
Close your eyes. Focus on your breathing. In and Out. In and Out.
Step 2:
Say the following phrase as you breath in and out:
Breathing In, I breathe in the life of Christ
Breathing Out, I breathe out the work of Christ
Step 3:
Read through the Names of God (below). Allow yourself to settle on one name that is meaningful for you or stand out to you in this moment. Focus yourself on that name as you breathe in. Say the name in your mind each time you breathe in.
Step 4:
Allow the God-given desires of your heart and soul to surface. Breathing in, continue saying in your mind the name of God you chose. Breathing out, say in your mind a God-given desire.
Breathe in, calling on a Biblical name or image of God
Breathe out a simple God-given desire
Some Examples to help get you started (if you need them)
- Breathe in “Abba”, breathe out “I belong to you”
- Breathe in “Healer”, breathe out “Speak the word and I shall be healed”
- Breathe in “Holy One”, breathe out “keep me true”
- Breathe in “Lord”, breathe out “here I am”
- Breathe in “Jesus”, breathe out “have mercy on me”
Step 5:
Allow this Breath Prayer to surface throughout the coming day. Recall it as often as possible during your breathing throughout the day. Perhaps the God-given desire will shift throughout the day. Perhaps not.
As you finish, ponder this question:
How might your Breath Prayer this morning be shorthand for a longer prayer of your heart?
Names of God
Alpha
Almighty – Awesome – Adored – Arm – Advocate – Ancient of Days – Abounding – All – Answer – Answerer – Adequate – Author – Authority – Anchor – Adonai – Abba – Bread – Breath – Brother – Bridegroom – Blessed – Blesser – Beloved – Burden-Bearer – Barrier-Breaker – Boundless – Bountiful – Branch – Bruised – Beautiful – Christ – Creator – Counselor – Carpenter – Captain – Conqueror – Crowned – Companion – Center – Cornerstone – Compassionate – Comforter – Crucified – Captor – Dwelling – Destination – Deliverer – Defender – Delight – Divider – Desire – Dew – Door – Day-Spring – Divine – Emmanuel – El Shaddai – El Roi – El Olam – Enlightener – Everlasting – Expectation – Eternal – Expert – Expectant – Encourager – Example – Exalted – Examiner – Elohim – Enduring – – Entrhoned – Exhorter – Father – Friend – Fountain – Fire – Forgiving – Faithful – Forsaken – Fairest – Finisher – Fullness – Foundation
Guide – Guardian – Good – Great – Glorious – Gracious – Gift – Giver – Gardener – Goal – Griever – Gate – Holy – Highest – Hallowed – Humble – Habitation – Hiding Place – Hidden – Broken – Husbandman – Head – Hope – Healer – Helper – Hand – Home – Holy Spirit – I AM – Word – Instructor – Immortal – Incomprehensible – Incomparable – Infinite – Invisible – Infallible – Invincible – Ineffable – Indwelling – Intercessor – Inspirer – Jehovah – Judge – Just – Justifier – Jealous – Joy – Jesus – King – Kinsman – Keeper – Kind – Key – Lamb of God – Lord – Light – Life – Love – Long-Suffering – Lowly – Listening – Messiah – Maker – Most High – Master – Mighty – Meek – Merciful – Measureless – Majesty – Mindful – Manna – Mysterious – Morning Star – Mother – Night – New – Needed Nearest – Nourisher – Nurturer – Omniscient – Omnipresent – Omnipotent – Only-Begotten – Overcomer – Omega
Prophet – Priest – Paraclete – Prince of Peace – Physician – Patient – Peace – Purest Pleasure – Protector – Provider – Preserver – Possessor – Precious – Pastor – Perfect – Priceless – Praiseworthy – Pioneer – Prize – Pardoning – Persistent – Pearl – Pure – Prayer-Hearer – Potter – Quickener – Queen – Queller-of-Storms – Quietness – Redeemer – Resurrection – Refiner – Refuge – Righteous – Righteousness – Rule – Radiant – Reprover – Reformer – Renewer – Ransom – Rescuer – Receiver – Road – Rewarder – Ruler – Restorer – Rock – Rest – Rod – Rich – Son – Son of Man – Servant – Savior – Shepherd – Sacrifice – Salvation – Splendor – Spirit – Satisfaction – Satisfier – Source – Spring – Sanctifier – Stronghold – Sun – Shield – Steadfast – Sufficient – Skillful – Strong – Succorer – Supreme – Shade – Silent – Star – Song – Seeker – Sovereign – Slow-to-Anger – Sower – Seed of the Woman
Triumphant – Transcendent – Transformer – Teacher – Treasure – Treasury Truth – True – Tender – Tower – Trustworthy – Trinity – Three in One – Uncreated Light – Unchangeable – Unhindered – Understanding – Undefeated – Unhurried – Unforgetting – Unfailing – Unwearied – Unlimited – Uniter – Uplifter – Upholder – Vine – Vindicator – Vision – Veil – Vanquisher – Verity – Victory – Voice – Way – Water of Life – Word – Wine – Wisdom – Wonderful – Well-Spring – Worthy – Wise – Watcher – Wounded – Yahweh – Yours truly – Yearning – Yearned-for – Yokefellow – Zeal – Zealous
If you missed Sunday’s Sermon…
Read here: Life and Faith: Are You Satisfied? (Faces of Faith: Lydia, Acts 16:11-15,40)
This Week at Hood
Wednesday, August 29th, 1:30 – 2:30 pm – Prayer & Inspiration
Thursday, August 30th, Pastor Jason NOT at the Cellar this week
Sunday, September 1st, 11:00 am – Worship – Faces of Our Faith: Euchytus – Special Music by Erin Barefoot