The Practice of Breathing Prayer Can Change Your Life

It did mine!

Since time immemorial people have prayed. But what is prayer? It is simply communication with the Creator. Prayer is central to all religions and faiths at all times in all times.

It can be a corporate form of prayer like the Jews chanting prayer or Christian congregational prayer or Muslims call to prayer. Or prayer can be intimate, like me, praying and meditating by myself directly from the heart.

However, prayer is not only meditation, as some would suppose, but it also goes a step beyond yourself into the presence of the Divine. I started consciously praying as a child and continue to do so as a daily practice.

However, when I paired my prayers with my breath, something changed.

I breathed in strength and breathed out joy. I discovered that praying verses of the Bible intensified my prayer life. The first verse I prayed using my breath was:

“…for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10, NIV)

Consequently, I started praying Scripture. I looked up verses that were short enough or used a portion of a verse to pray in one breath. That is how I came to develop a habit of praying I call — Breath Prayers.

But first, let’s look at prayer in history.

Prayer to the Creator

Prayer is a pillar to most faiths, it begins and ends with the Creator. Prayer recognizes that man did not create himself. It is the method humans connect to the One who fashioned and designed them.

History records ancient man prayed for favor in surviving their environment. They prayed for rain, bountiful crops, and mercy for loved ones moving from life to death.

Eventually, the major religions organized into groups with prayer as a central tenet to their faith.

Jewish Prayer

In the Tanakh (Old Testament) before the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, the Bible infers Adam (man) had a personal relationship with his Creator as illustrated in Genesis 2:7–3:19. After the fall, it records the first mention of prayer in Genesis 4:26 when men began to call on the name of the Lord.

The Old Testament is replete with men and women whom God called to foster a relationship and to take part in his plans and purposes for mankind.

For example, God spoke to Abraham and told him to leave his home and to travel to the Promised Land. Abraham obeyed God and set into motion the strategy to build the Nation of Israel.

Abraham prayed for an heir, blessed God with prayers of thanksgiving, and interceded for family members. He lived a life of prayer unto God for all to see.

Christian Prayer

I learned breath prayer is a practice of praying that is traced back to the 3rd century A.D. using the breath to utter simple, short phrases. To escape Roman persecution, many early Christians fled to the desert and separated themselves from the world.

They used contemplative prayer to discover their meaning and mission in life.

Eventually, one group of Egyptian monks composed a prayer called “kryie eleison” (Lord, have mercy) that became the Jesus Prayer from Mark 10:47. The Early Church Fathers used meditative prayer coupled with their breath to pray the Scriptures. This practice became known as “lectio divina” and is still in use today almost 2000 years later.

Muslim Prayer

Since the 7th century CE, the most important part of Islamic tradition and practice has been the ritual prayer called the ṣalāt (daily prayer). They recite the prayer while the suppliant turns toward Mecca (in Saudi Arabia) five times a day.

On Friday, the ṣalāt al-jumʿah (Friday prayer) replaces the noon prayer. The community celebrates it in the principal mosque.

When Muslims pray they are in a kneeling or standing position reciting the Koran. This reflects the attitude of the heart. It reminds them that God is their Creator and Sustainer.

Breath Prayers

The simple act of breathing is a transforming experience as a spiritual practice. Praying with my breath helps me to focus and set my intent.

For example, if I’m anxious or worried about my circumstances, I look up verses that contain those words. I use a concordance in a Bible or go online to find quotations about my anxiety. Then, I make a list of 8–10 verses about my topic.

For instance, in the New Testament, Peter, a disciple of Jesus, tells us to cast our anxieties on Him.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7, NIV)

David, in the Old Testament, often prayed during times of trouble. In fact, the entire book of Psalms is a collection of prayers breathed for thousands of years.

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” (Psalm 94:19, NIV)

These verses are short enough to say in one breath. If the verses are too long, use the portion that is relevant to you. Also, I personalize the verses when I can. For example, in 1 Peter 5:7, I say, “I cast my care on you because you care for me.”

Practice Praying

Now that you have your list, follow these simple suggestions:

• Find a quiet place with no distractions.
• Try to center yourself and quiet your mind.
• Focus on the verse.
• Inhale the first half of the verse.
• Exhale the second half of the verse.
• Practice until you have the verse or verses memorized.

When I practice breathing my prayers, I lift my arms as I inhale, and lower them as I exhale. I feel the peace of God entering my body and the anxiety flows away.

You will find that as you continue this method of praying; prayer becomes a part of you. Anytime you feel anxious, take a moment, and breathe your prayer.

Also, I try to pray at least one breath prayer a day. As I perform the action of reading, speaking, and breathing, prayer becomes a part of me.

It is also a critical reminder that just as we can’t live without breathing physically, we can’t live without breathing spiritually. Go ahead, give Breath Prayers a try.

You may find your life changes, too.

Walk with me and we can breathe prayer together.

Debbie Walker is a great-grandmother, blogger, and writer with a BA in Psychology. Her vision is to encourage, inspire, and empower others to lead fulfilled lives. She is the creator of Middle-Pause Publication, and STOMP!, an upcoming podcast for women, and currently writing a Breath Prayer Devotional. Stay in touch at [email protected].