GO AHEAD BREATHE, AGAIN, AGAIN .....

 

JULY 30, 2024

 

We begin today with a prayer from Howard Thurman, in his book, The Growing Edge.

Oh God, my father, I have no words, no words by which I dare express the things that stir within me. I lay bare myself, my world, before you in quietness. Brood over my spirit with your great tenderness and understanding, so that I will find, in some strange way, strength for any weakness, health for my illness, guidance for my journey. This is the stirring of my heart, oh God, my father, Amen.

 

Genesis 2:7

⁷ Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.

^{LUKE 18:35-38}

³⁵ Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. ³⁶ And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. ³⁷ So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. ³⁸ And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 

Our breath can be a powerful connection to God. 

Through His breath, God breathed life into the first man. By focusing on your breath, you can connect with God and remember that all good things, life itself included, are gifts from your Creator.

Many ancient Christian meditative practices focus on slowing down and paying attention to your breath. One such prayer, described in “The Way of the Pilgrim” in the 19th century is called “The Jesus prayer” because in this practice with every breath you recognize your need for Jesus as a savior.

The Jesus Prayer uses your natural breath pattern to meditate on the words “, “, have mercy on me.” On each inhale you say the words "Jesus, Son of David” and on each exhale you say, “Have mercy on me.”

This phase comes from Luke 18:38, in which the blind man who calls out to Jesus is healed. 

What I really have found helpful in this spiritual practice is that we can also try the prayer with other phrases that remind us of our reliance on God. For example, we could repeat the words “Father… (as you inhale) I belong to you” (on Exhale) these words are found in Psalm 73:23. Another phrase which that we can use comes from the Old Testament, word spoken by prophets in the Bible, is “Lord… (as we inhale) here I am” (on the exhale)  (Isaiah 6:8, 1 Samuel 3:4).

Practice the Jesus Breath Prayer:

• Breath in and repeat the words, “Jesus, Son of David”
• Breath out and repeat the words, “Have mercy on me.”
• Repeat this prayer 10 times, or until your breathing becomes calm and slow.

 

Let Us Pray

 Lord, every breath I take comes from you. Help me connect with you, the source of my life. Amen.