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Practices that Help You Center in God<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
As I have grown, I have learned grounding practices<\/a> that help me stay centered in God\u2019s love and to not get lost in my worries. One of those practices is breath prayer. A breath prayer is a word or phrase to repeat in a single breath with one part on the inhale and the other part on the exhale. Breath prayers have been a part of Christian practice for generations and are often centered on Scripture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The most well-known breath prayer is called the Jesus Prayer and comes from Mark 10:47. \u201cLord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Breath prayers are simple to incorporate into your life because 1) you have to breathe to live, 2) no right or wrong way to do it, and 3) can be done any time, any place.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Author Kayla Craig offers this explanation in her book To Light Their Way<\/em>: \u201cBreath prayers are short meditations to help you focus your body and mind on the One who gives each breath. Breath prayer is simply an invitation to take a moment to breath and center your thoughts on the reality of the Creator, who dwells in you and among you always.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n What I have found so helpful with breath prayers is that it slows down my pace<\/a>, helps me to focus on what is true, and anchors me in God\u2019s love. I have discovered that breath prayers help me quiet my worries, calming me down when I feel overwhelmed. I often pray \u201cLord Jesus Christ, help me to rest in you.\u201d Breath prayers are simple to incorporate into your life because 1) you have to breathe to live, 2) no right or wrong way to do it, and 3) can be done any time, any place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Breath prayers have also helped me with my parenting and how I model for my kids how connecting with God is important and comforting. Let me ask you a question: when a child is upset, what is one of the first things that you may say? For me, I find myself saying either \u201ccalm down\u201d or \u201cbreathe\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But what would it look like to model a breath prayer in that moment? <\/p>\n\n\n\n When my kids get overwhelmed with emotion and are having a hard time breathing because they are so upset, I now breathe with them and say a breath prayer. For my son, he often prays, \u201cJesus, help me to be calm.\u201d What could it look like for you to model a breath prayer when helping a child cope with a hard emotion?<\/p>\n\n\n\n I have uncovered that breath prayers are also simple for families<\/a> to do together. Incorporating it at bedtime or at school drop-off, reciting a breath prayer together can be the way to place Jesus at the center. Over the past several months, I have been inviting others in our church community to join us in praying specific breath prayers. What has been beautiful is hearing stories of how these prayers have helped in times of uncertainty and in times of celebration. What matters the most is centering ourselves on the truth of who God is and who we are in Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe you are like me and tend to worry, become overwhelmed with what is before you. Breath prayers have allowed me to focus on God\u2019s promise that He is with me and helping me every step of the way. \u201cJesus, carry this load.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n What might your breath prayer be today? How might you be changed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Never done a breath prayer before? Try one of these:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inhale<\/em>: Because of Jesus,\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exhale<\/em>: I am free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inhale<\/em>: Jesus,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exhale<\/em>: You are everything I need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inhale<\/em>: God, You are working \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exhale<\/em>: help me to see.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\t\tWhat Is Breath Prayer?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Why Do Breath Prayers Help?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How to Use Breath Prayer in Community<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Give It to Jesus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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