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In the same way, the Holy Spirit helps us where we are weak.
We do not know how to pray or what we should pray for, but the
Holy Spirit prays to God for us with sounds that cannot be put into words.
*Romans 8.26, NLV
Prayer is the way we live our covenant, and so every prayer changes something. It changes us because it intensifies our relationship with God. If the Spirit can change our moans and groans into prayer, then the Spirit can also change our minds, hearts, and wills through prayer-and He'll do this in a way that cannot happen apart from prayer.
*Scott Hahn. Understanding "Our Father".
The Background
Breath Prayer is a prayer whereby you repeat, inwardly, with the rhythm of breathing, a request, supplication, praise, or thanksgiving. Request is a petition for yourself. Supplication is a request for another. Praise is adoration. Thanksgiving is gratitude.
Breath Prayer is called such for "Spirit" in the Bible means "wind, breath, spirit, Spirit." The basic idea seems to have been "wind" and, by extension, "breath."
Breath Prayer entails allowing the Holy Spirit to communicate with our spirit what we need to pray about - this being at a level of pre/post-personal awareness, a person does not have to know mentally the content. Also, we intend to surrender to the Spirit praying in and through us, as we remain receptively open to God.
The Method
1.Become silent, close your eyes, and breathe in and out from the area just above the abdomen.
2.Ask interiorly for the prayer you need to use for your breath prayer. Receive the arising of the matter for prayer. A word might arise, a thought, or an image. You might want to remain with that phrase or sentence in additional sessions of breath prayer.
3.Pray inwardly until you find a way of offering the prayer comfortable with the rhythm of your breathing and from six to eight syllables. For example, the word peace might have come to mind. You may find praying it “Lord, your peace, only your peace, ” “Lord, thank you for peace,” “Peace, perfect peace, I receive,” or “Wonderful peace, beautiful peace” might be the way silently to express the prayer.
4.After settling with the way to pray the prayer, keep inwardly saying it, in rhythm with your breathing.
5.When you are ready to come out of the prayer time, say a prayer of thanksgiving and rest for a couple of minutes.
6.Return to the breath prayer at any time day or night.
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*Charitable contributions would be appreciated to assist Brian in continuing his ministry. For contributions, contact Brian at barukhattah@embarqmail.com .
*Brian's book of spiritual love poetry, An Ache for Union: Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major booksellers or the Cokesbury on-line store, cokesbury.com .
*Brian K. Wilcox, a United Methodist Pastor, lives in Southwest Florida. He is a vowed member of Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in South Georgia. He lives a contemplative life and seeks to inspire others to enjoy a more intimate relationship with Christ. Brian advocates for a spiritually-focused, experiential Christianity and renewal of the Church through addressing the deeper spiritual needs and longings of persons.
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