This article was originally published in the April 2025 issue of Topic. Read the full issue of Topic, online, here.
As numerous as the sparkling stars in the night sky, so are there an abundance of spiritual practices to light one’s journey of faith. I am a ‘collector’ of spiritual practices. Seriously, I even wrote a book years ago entitled, Invited, Prayer Practices for Solitude and Community, which holds 80 ways to creatively and meaningfully connect with God. Eighty! I know, it’s a bit over the top. However, is there ever a limit to how one can pray? Communion with God comes with an invitation to, ‘Pray without ceasing.’ Thankfully, this does not mean to keep adding endless requests to our prayer lists, rather, to live in an ongoing awareness of our eternal and ever-present connection and intimacy with God, even through the distractions and distortions of daily living.
Breath Prayer
One simple way to practice the presence of God is as easy as breathing in and out and is called: The Breath Prayer. The first part of the prayer is said aloud or silently, as one draws their breath in, and the second part of the prayer is uttered with the exhalation of that breath. This prayer is repeated as one breathes in and out during a time of meditation, or pops up throughout the day, or both, as one deepens into the message of the prayer and the loving presence of God.
Here are a few examples that can be adapted a million ways to be relevant to a longing in one’s heart, a present need, or an invitation of the Spirit. Up to five syllables seems to offer a beautiful flow.
Breathe in: Breathe Out:
Holy One In you I rest
In you, O God Is abundant peace
Shepherd of the sheep Guide us in your way
Breathe out:
James Finley, psychologist, author, and spiritual teacher, who was mentored by Thomas Merton, suggests this breath prayer that has become one of my favorites:
Breathe in: I love you (from God) Breathe out: I love you (to God)
Lingering in the presence and intimacy of God, our Source, opens and fills us with the uncreated energy of Grace that flows with God’s loving kindness and Christ’s redeeming love. Amidst the busyness and demands of life, the simple breath prayer invites us to be grounded, generous, and to flow with conscious love – not just as crazy collectors, but as devoted commune-ers.
I wonder how this spiritual practice might impact your day when experienced in the quiet dawn, on your daily walk, with your morning coffee, a Sunday morning service, a parish council meeting, or a moment of need with a friend. Afterall, we read that the first thing Jesus does after the resurrection when he came and stood among the disciples, is speak, “Peace be with you.” He then breathes on them, saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit” – the Pneuma, the breath of God is freshly released. Perhaps this encounter can make a beautiful breath prayer as we inhale the message: Peace be with you, and exhale: Receive the Holy Spirit (to ourselves and those we meet). May it be so.