ALong the coast Northern Queensland
I have had several requests for this prayer recently. I use it in the introduction to my GodSpace workshops and wrote it last year when I was in a time of really needing to center down myself. It really helps me to relax and focus on God.
I suggest that people sit with their hands in their laps palm up while they say the first line and take a deep breath then turn palms down and breathe out as they say the second line. The lines in bold can be recited by the whole group if you like. Enjoy
Breathe in the breath of God
Breathe out your cares and concerns
Breathe in the love of God
Breathe out your doubts and despairs
Breathe in the life of God
Breathe out your fears and frustrations
We sit quietly before the One who gives life and love to all creation,
We sit in awe of the One who formed us in our mother’s wombs
We sit at peace surrounded by the One who fills every fibre of our being
Breathe in the breath of God
Breathe out your tensions and turmoil
Breathe in the love of God
Breathe out your haste and hurry
Breathe in the life of God
Breathe out your work and worry
We sit quietly before the One who gives life and love to all creation,
We sit in awe of the One who formed us in our mother’s wombs
We sit at peace surrounded by the One who fills every fibre of our being
Filed under: Personal, Prayer, Prayer and inspiration, Worship & liturgy, life | Tagged: breathing prayer, centering prayer, life, relaxing
this is amazing.
[...] A Breathing Prayer – So simple. [...]
this is a lovely prayer – thanks. i have added it as a worship trick on my blog – hope this is ok?! have also added your blog to the list of blogs i link to. peace
Jonny, I don’t mind at all. I always enjoy it when others find my prayers useful and want to pass them on to others as well. Many blessings on all you do to help us in worship. I have learned so much from following your work over the years
I’m planning to use this prayer for our alternative worship tomorrow night. Thanks!
Blessed Lent!
Thanks for letting me know Sivin. I would be interested to hear how it goes
Peace Christine,
This is a beautiful prayer, and it sounds very much like the zikr (remembrance) ceremony of Sufi Muslim groups, which also focus on the breath as one of the primary (and often unnoticed) gifts of God.
God willing, I’ll be stopping by again.
Abdur Rahman
thanks christine. on a similar note, a friend of mine once told me that he liked to focus by inhaling “grace” and exhaling “peace.” i was just reminded of that today as we studied paul’s greetings.
this prayer also brought to mind a recent nouwen excerpt: “God wants to be as close to us as our breath. God wants to breathe in us, so that all we say, think, and do is completely inspired by God.”
pneuma!
[...] in the life and love of God and breathing out all that hinders. here’s the prayer, it’s from christine sine, who has some wonderful prayers on her site. give it a try over the course of this week. and may [...]