Breath Prayer
Feeling anxious or overwhelmed as a mom? Need a minute to pause and regulate your nervous system? Let’s do a Breath Prayer together.
What is Breath Prayer? I’m so glad you asked.
Breath Prayer is a practice that combines deep breathing with Biblical Scripture. It’s a contemplative prayer practice that’s been around for centuries. Breath prayer can help calm the nervous system, renew the mind, and connect us with God in a powerful way.
As we breathe in and out, our nervous system has the opportunity to shift from a sympathetic state (fight or flight mode) into a parasympathetic state (rest and recover mode). As we meditate on Biblical Scripture, our mind has the opportunity to be renewed by The Word of God. Combining Scripture with breathwork to create a meditative prayer, is a simple yet helpful tool that moms can use anytime.
I love how Jennifer Tucker describes it,
“Breath prayers combine deep breathing with prayers of meditation on God’s Word to help calm your body while focusing your mind on truth.
The deep breathing can help calm the physical symptoms of anxiety, while prayer helps to center our thoughts on Christ and His presence with us & His love for us.“
I love teaching moms how to do breath prayers because they actually help! Deep breathing has been proven numerous times to reduce stress, anxiety, and panic attacks. Meditating on Scripture has also been proven to do the same. This combination is a powerful tool every mom should have access to. So let me teach you how to do a Breath Prayer.
Below is my Step-By-Step Guide for How to Do a Breath Prayer. If you want to practice a Breath Prayer with me now, visit the Mother Of Rest YouTube Channel where I have a library of different Scriptures to chose from. Or, if you’d like to hire me for your next women’s retreat, conference, or gathering, I’d love to come and teach this information to your community in person! Please visit the Mother of Rest website for more information.
HOW TO DO A BREATH PRAYER – BEGINNERS GUIDE:
- Pick one verse or word from the Bible that you want to meditate on.
If you need help finding a specific Biblical Truth, I created a journal to help you find one here. - Find a quiet space
Go outside and look at the sky (if that’s possible). If you’re a mom with littles, you can sit in the bathroom, or in your car for a few quiet minutes because that works too. - Start breathing deeply in and out
If it’s safe, close your eyes, soften your face, and relax your jaw. Roll your shoulders back and down and shake any tension out of your hands. - Place one hand on your heart and one hand on your belly
I find that feeling my body rise and fall is helpful as I desire to focus on my breathing. - Intentionally Exhale
Let out as much air as possible through an open mouth. - Intentionally Inhale
Breathe in as much air as possible through the nose. - Begin Breathing Exercise
Exhale and inhale slowly, evenly, and completely. Repeat several times.
Option 1: Keep your lips sealed and breathe in and out though your nose. Inhale for five counts and Exhale for counts.
Option 2: Inhale through your nose “smell the flowers” and exhale out through your mouth “blow out the candles”. Repeat several times. - Start to read or meditate on a specific Scripture
Inhale: The Lord is my Shepherd
Exhale: I lack nothing
Inhale: The Lord is my Shepherd
Exhale: I lack nothing
Continue - Do Breath Prayer
Repeat breathing in and out and meditating on scripture for three cycles of breath.
Continue praying for as long as you’d like. - End with Thanksgiving
I like to end my Breath Prayer by saying, “Thank you Jesus!” and then I open my eyes.
I hope this clarifies any questions you had about how to do a Breath Prayer. There is really no right or wrong way to pray. I encourage you to just go for it!
If you’re interested in learning more about Breath Prayer or how to experience real rest in Motherhood, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. I’d love to connect with you!
Till then, know I’m praying for you and cheering you on! I know that you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength. Keep breathing and anchoring in Truth. God’s got it!
His Yoke is easy and His burden is Light.
With Love and Hugs,
Kathryn
Website: Mother of Rest
YouTube: Mother of Rest
Instagram: @ motherofrest
Facebook: @ motherofrest