Saturday, December 1, 2007

Wednesday, December 12 | Justice & Peace

Breath Prayer
In Hebrew the words for breath and spirit are the same word, ruach. A Breath Prayer is a short prayer that can be said or thought in a single breath. From the story of creation when the breath of God (ruach) moved over the waters, to the psalms where the psalmist declares "Where can I go from your Spirit (ruach), to the coming of the Holy Spirit, when a sound like a strong wind (pneuma) was heard, the Spirit of God has been linked to air, breath, wind. In fact, the Greek word pneuma can be translated as "Spirit" "inner life" "wind" or "breath." So, in its basic form a breath prayer is inhaling God and exhaling whatever one needs to release.

Simply use a short phrase that affirms God's presence as you breathe in, and a short phrase of release as you breathe out. Or your exhaling phrase might strengthen the inhaling phrase. Sit quietly and repeat the phrase gently in your mind for several minutes. Allow the prayer to take on the shape of your breathing so that the words accompany your every breath. Take a walk, repeating your prayer while you move. Note how the prayer shapes your perceptions. Allow the prayer to accompany the rhythm of your walking and your breathing. This prayer can be carried with you throughout the day

No comments: