Scripture Meditations for the Holidays | Free Wallpapers for Your Phone
WHAT ARE BREATH PRAYERS?
Breath Prayer is an ancient form of prayer, dating back to the sixth century, most often associated with the Greek and Russian Orthadox Church. It connects our body, mind, and spirit, drawing us to turn our whole self to focus on God.
Practicing breath prayer can calm our mind, body, and soul in moments of chaos, anxiety, or sorrow, making them the perfect practice for those of us in grief. We’ve created 7 breath prayers specifically for the grieving mom and the Holiday season. When the family gathering feels like too much, or the Christmas cards in the mailbox send you into a spiral, these truths are here for you, to breath in, breath out, and wash yourself in the truth of Scripture.
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TO PRACTICE
Instructions adapted from Sarah Bessey, “Breath Prayers for Anxious Times”
Sit in a comfortable position, if possible. Close your eyes, and imagine a room or place where you feel safe.
Inhale. Fill your whole self with breath.
Feel air in your lungs. And then say the first line of the prayer:
Lord, my soul is weary
Exhale slowly and fully.
Strengthen me with your word
And simply repeat this practice, 10 times if time allows.
SCRIPTURE BREATH PRAYERS
“My soul is weary with sorrow. Strengthen me according to your word.”
Psalm 119: 28
Inhale: Lord, My soul is weary
Exhale: Strengthen me with your word
“You have kept count of my tossings, put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?”
Psalm 56: 8
Inhale: He sees my pain
Exhale: He knows my heart.
“Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
Hebrews 12: 1-2a
Inhale: Throw off anything that entangles
Exhale: Fix your eyes on Jesus
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
Inhale: Your grace
Exhale: Is enough for me.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Inhale: “Peace of Christ,
Exhale: Guard my heart and mind.” (Phil. 4:7
This post was originally published in 2020 and was edited for formatting & relevance in December 2024.
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7 breath prayers for the holiday season
When the family gathering feels like too much, or the Christmas cards in the mailbox send you into a spiral, these truths are here for you, to breath in, breath out, and wash yourself in the truth of Scripture.