This morning I was sitting reading my Bible, feeling rather distracted by thoughts of all I need to do today. So I reached for my book of prayers to find one that would help me centre in on God’s presence. I intentionally looked for a breathing prayer because I have found that they help me to focus on God better than any other form. I came across this one which to be honest I don’t even remember writing. It encouraged me once more to reflect on the life of God breathed into us at creation and breathed through us afresh as Jesus filled us with the Holy Spirit.
Breathe out empty yourself: of hate, of fear, of anxiety
Breathe in fill yourself with love, with life, with mercy
Breathe out empty yourself of busyness, of selfishness of greed
Breathe in fill yourself with peace, with joy, with hope
Breathe out empty yourself of idolatry, of self worship, of false gods
Breathe in fill yourself with God, with Christ, with the Holy Spirit
As I prayed this prayer and reflected on its meaning three scriptures came to mind that you might also like to reflect on as you pray it.
Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. (Genesis 2:7 NLT)
Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. f you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20: 21 – 23 NLT)
All Scripture is God–breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, (2 Tim 3:16 NIV)
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Filed under: Christianity, meditation, Prayer, Prayer and inspiration, Rhythms of life, spiritual practices | Tagged: breathing prayer, centering prayer, Christianity, inspiration, mediation, Prayer, spiritual practices |
What book of prayers did you reach for?
Richard it is a loose leaf folder in which I write down the prayers that I compose as I meditate and reflect on God and issues of fatih
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