Breath Prayer

Just as breathing is essential for us to live as physical beings, prayer in the same way gives life to our soul. “God is the oxygen of our soul, and we need to breathe Him in all day long.” (Adele Ahlberg Calhoun). 

The practice of breath prayer is a style of praying that is likened with the rhythms of breathing: (1) breathe in, calling on a biblical name or image of God, and (2) breathe out a simple God-given desire.

What are the steps to practice ‘Breathe Prayer’?

1. Start with acknowledging the nearness of God. 

2. Settle deeply into the truth that Christ is in you. 

3. Deeply breathe in, repeating any name of God that is dear to you.

4. As you exhale, voice a deep desire of your heart.

Examples of breath prayers are:

• breathe in “Abba,” breathe out “I belong to you.”

• breathe in “Healer,” breathe out “speak the word and I shall be healed.”

• breathe in “Shepherd,” breathe out “bring home my lost son.”

• 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.”