Breath Prayers

I love the idea of a “breath prayer” meaning a short, gritty prayer that gets right to the point. These can be said anywhere and in any posture. I believe these prayers are very powerful and effective. The Apostle Paul gives us the model for this in 1 Thessalonians 5 17 pray without ceasing, 18…for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

I got the term, breath prayer, from an excerpt of a book written by Hannah Brencher (Come Matter Here). She mentions that “Breath prayers help me bridge the gap between praying sometimes and praying without ceasing. My breath prayer for when fear tries to take back the lead role is simple: Reduce me to love.” What a quick, effective prayer! I often pray, “Lord give me strength.” I am afraid my prayer is too much about me. But, “reduce me to love” is about Him. I would like for each of us to pick up this four-word breath prayer in our prayer life.

There is a great breath prayer uttered by a father who brought his son to be healed by Jesus in Mark 9:23-24. In verse 23, Jesus said to him, “‘…All things are possible for one who believes.” In verse 24, Immediately the father of the child cried out[d] and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” What an electric, five-word breath prayer, “I believe; help my unbelief.” It was obvious that Jesus appreciated this quick five worded prayer. The man’s son was healed.

I remember a dear sister who because of the up-and-down’s of life had become atheistic. A dear Christian friend challenged her to pray every morning, “Please”…that’s it. A simple, one-word, candid breath prayer. And every night, “thank You”…that’s it. A very brief, two-word, honest prayer. The results? Today, she is a lovely, faithful, Godly, mature Christian today.

Breath prayers…speak honestly and straightforwardly to Jesus. He enjoys it!