Breath Prayer
Objective: The goal of breath prayer is to help you stay close to God by praying in rhythm with your breathing. It’s a simple way to slow down, feel calm, and remember that God is with you. This is another simple way to strengthen and deepen your prayer life.
How To Do This
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Pick a simple phrase or sentence from Scripture or your heart, like “Lord, have mercy” or “Jesus, help me.”
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Sit comfortably or stand still—anywhere you can focus for a minute or two. Start breathing slowly and calmly, paying attention to your breath.
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As you breathe in, silently say the first part of your prayer (e.g., “Lord, have…”).
As you breathe out, silently say the second part (e.g., “…mercy”). -
Continue this rhythm for 1–5 minutes, letting the prayer and your breath bring calm and focus.
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Romans 12:12, Ephesians 6:18, Philippians 4:6
Origin: It’s closely linked to the Jesus Prayer — “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner” — which became a central practice in Eastern Orthodox Christianity.