Below, find 40 Breath Prayers - one for each day of Lent.
Use them as-is or adapt them.
Use one per day or stay with one for longer.
Go through them systematically, or jump around.
See what works best for you.
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How to Practice Breath Prayers - adapted from Sarah Bessey
How to Practice Breath Prayers - adapted from Sarah Bessey
Breath Prayer is an ancient, easily adaptable form of prayer which can be practiced anywhere, anytime.
Example:
Choose one or two lines to meditate on, inhaling and exhaling through them.
Start with ten good breaths in and out. (With a hand on your heart, and a hand on your belly, press into each of your fingers to keep count.) As you breathe in, fill your whole self with breath, feeling the air in your lungs. Exhale slowly and fully.
Inhale, praying silently: Show me who I am...
Exhale: and what is mine to do.
Take it further:
Find a quiet corner and light a candle.
Sit comfortably in a position that allows you to take a deep breath in and out.
Close your eyes. Become aware of your body. Imagine a room or a place where you feel safe. It can be a real place or one from your imagination.
Breathe slowly and deeply, taking a few minutes to develop the details of your place. Enter your time of prayer or meditation from that sanctuary.
Sometimes, you can briefly note or take time to journal about what you notice.
Wed Mar 5
Wed Mar 5
DAY ONE
Inhale: Abba…
Exhale: I belong to you.
Thurs Mar 6
Thurs Mar 6
DAY TWO
IN: Both day and night…
OUT: belong to You.
From Psalm 74:16
Fri Mar 7
Fri Mar 7
DAY THREE
IN: Come Lord Jesus…
OUT: draw me to yourself.
Sat Mar 8
Sat Mar 8
DAY FOUR
IN: Father (Abba, etc)... OUT: show me your love.
Mon Mar 10
Mon Mar 10
DAY FIVE
Father... love me.
from Sharon Lee Song, “Take Time for Breath Prayer"
Tues Mar 11
Tues Mar 11
DAY SIX
Give me strength...
O God.
Wed Mar 12
Wed Mar 12
DAY SEVEN
God...help me to see.
Thurs Mar 13
Thurs Mar 13
DAY EIGHT
God…may I know your comfort.
Fri Mar 14
Fri Mar 14
DAY NINE
Great God…your love endures forever
Sat Mar 15
Sat Mar 15
DAY TEN
Healer…speak the word and I shall be healed.
(From Adele Calhoun)
Mon Mar 17
Mon Mar 17
DAY ELEVEN
Holy Father... I need your compassion.
Tues Mar 18
Tues Mar 18
DAY TWELVE
Holy One…keep me true.
(From Adele Calhoun)
Wed Mar 19
Wed Mar 19
DAY THIRTEEN
Holy Spirit…fill me.
Thurs Mar 20
Thurs Mar 20
DAY FOURTEEN
Holy Spirit...come meet with me.
Fri Mar 21
Fri Mar 21
DAY FIFTEEN
Humble and gentle God…You are rest for my soul.
(From Matthew 11:28-30)
Sat Mar 22
Sat Mar 22
DAY SIXTEEN
I am still and I know…that you are God.
Mon Mar 24
Mon Mar 24
DAY SEVENTEEN
I find rest…in your shelter.
From Psalm 91:1
Tues Mar 25
Tues Mar 25
DAY EIGHTEEN
I will not be afraid…for you are with me.
(From Psalm 23)
Wed Mar 26
Wed Mar 26
DAY NINETEEN
Into your hands… I commit my spirit.
Luke 23:46
Thurs Mar 27
Thurs Mar 27
DAY TWENTY
Jesus… guide me in your way.
Fri Mar 28
Fri Mar 28
DAY TWENTY-ONE
Jesus… you are with me.
Sat Mar 29
Sat Mar 29
DAY TWENTY-TWO
You are life…you are Love.
Mon Mar 31
Mon Mar 31
DAY TWENTY-THREE
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God…have mercy on me, a sinner.
(The Jesus Prayer)
Tues Apr 1
Tues Apr 1
DAY TWENTY-FOUR
Lord…have mercy.
(The Kyrie Eleison)
Wed Apr 2
Wed Apr 2
DAY TWENTY-FIVE
Lord…here I am.
Thurs Apr 3
Thurs Apr 3
DAY TWENTY-SIX
Love…keep me close to you.
Fri Apr 4
Fri Apr 4
DAY TWENTY-SEVEN
My God… and my All. (Saint Francis)
Sat Apr 5
Sat Apr 5
DAY TWENTY-EIGHT
Nothing can separate me…from the love of our God.
Romans 8:38-39
Mon Apr 7
Mon Apr 7
DAY TWENTY-NINE
Peace of Christ…guard my heart and mind.
From Philippians 4:7
Tues Apr 8
Tues Apr 8
DAY THIRTY
Spirit...guide my path.
Wed Apr 9
Wed Apr 9
DAY THIRTY-ONE
Spirit...set me free.
Thurs Apr 10
Thurs Apr 10
DAY THIRTY-TWO
Teach me patience...gracious God.
Fri Apr 11
Fri Apr 11
DAY THIRTY-THREE
The Lord is my Shepherd…I shall not want.”
From Bill Gaultiere, “Breath Prayers”
Sat Apr 12
Sat Apr 12
DAY THIRTY-FOUR
There is no fear…in Your arms of love.
1 John
Mon Apr 14
Mon Apr 14
DAY THIRTY-FIVE
True Vine and Gardener… I abide in You.
From John 15
Tues Apr 15
Tues Apr 15
DAY THIRTY-SIX
You are our refuge…and our strength.
From Psalm 46:1
Thurs Apr 17
Thurs Apr 17
DAY THIRTY-EIGHT
You surround me with love…and tender mercies.
From Psalm 103:4
Wed Apr 16
Wed Apr 16
DAY THIRTY-SEVEN
You fill my life…with good things.
From Psalm 103:5
Fri Apr 18
Fri Apr 18
DAY THIRTY-NINE
Your grace, O Lord…is enough for me.
From 2 Corinthians 12:9
Sat Apr 19
Sat Apr 19
DAY FORTY
Jesus...your will be done in my life.
All 40 Breath Prayers at a glance:
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