Breath prayers

You can weave God into your daily life with simple "breath prayers".

If you do this consistently, it can change you and draw you closer to God.

That's what Jan Johnson suggests in her book Enjoying The Presence of God.

"Our growing intimacy with God can crowd out the negative self-talk, the harping critical thoughts, the petty criticism . . .  Conversing with God becomes part of the rhythm of our lives, a backdrop to all activity, so that our heart becomes our private chapel."

How does this work?

Here are some ideas from Johnson:

• Send an arrow prayer to God for the person who annoys you when you meet him;
• Pray a phrase of trust in God like "Into Your hands" when worries surge into your mind;
• Say something like "Turn this person's heart toward You" when you face a difficult situation or person;
• Ask God "Do I need to change?" if you are faced with something that may reveal some character problems in your life; and
• Offer thanks for the person who has blessed you in some way.

Johnson recalls flying to a city where she had several business appointments in a tight schedule. On the way, she reflected on Isaiah 26:3 which says: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee."  She prayed breath prayers "Thou wilt keep, and keep, and keep" throughout that busy time.

She notes that scripture is a good place to anchor your breath prayers, especially when you don't know what to pray for someone.

For example:

• Help this person come to know Christ and the power of his resurrection (Philippians 3:6);
• Help this person live a life worthy of you (Colossians 1:10);
• Strengthen this person with power so that he may have endurance and patience (Colossians 1:11); and
• Help this person's love abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight (Philippians 1:9).

As I think about this, one great value of breath prayers like these is that they turn us away from ourselves to God and the people we meet.  Rather than worrying or criticizing, we are taking action through prayer to God who can change things - and us.

It's time for me to put this into practice.