June 23-29, 2024

What do you do when you are exhausted and overwhelmed by circumstances?  Things happen, almost daily it seems.  Responding to these times with the Word is one way we abide in His presence.  Specifically through small portions of scripture often referred to as Breath Prayers.  Breathing Breath Prayers is not a new phenomenon.  It is a simple act that allows us to:  pause, reset, and focus.  Pause:  take a breath.  Reset: release a breath.  Focus: meditate on God's Word/presence.  Giving space to rest in Him has a powerful effect on our mind, body, and spirit in a short span of time.  In effect we are releasing to God whatever is weighing us down.  Breath Prayers can be whispered during intentional set aside times or in the middle of the mess.  You are inhaling and exhaling very slowly as you recite/think the words of scripture.  Now lets practice.  Keep in mind that the prompts below were created with a variety of different Bible translations with NASB being the primary tool.

This week's Bible reading: John 15: 1-11

Focus Verse: "Just as the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.."  (John 15:9)

Prayer Prompts

Day 1: " And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.." Breathe in slowly and deeply as you whisper or think: "Not my will..." Hold your breath, conscious of God's presence.... And then exhale as you whisper or think: "....but yours be done." (Luke 22:41-42)

Day 2: " Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for You”. Breathe in slowly and deeply as you whisper for think: “I wait for you…” Hold your breath, conscious of God's presence...And then exhale as you whisper or think: "..Lord, my God." (Psalm 25:21) 

Day 3: " But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you". Breathe in slowly and deeply as you whisper or think: "Seek first….” Hold your breath, conscious of God's presence.. And then exhale as you whisper of think: "..the kingdom of God.." (Matthew 6:33) 

Day 4: " O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You..” Breathe in slowly and deeply as you whisper or think: "We do not know what to do, Lord.." Hold your breath, conscious of God's presence... And then exhale as you whisper or think: "..but our eyes are on you" (2 Chronicles 20:12) 

Day 5: " Give thanks to the Lord of lords, For His lovingkindness is everlasting..." Breathe in slowly and deeply as you whisper or think: "Give thanks to the Lord.." Hold your breath, conscious of God's presence.. And then exhale as you whisper or think: "…His love endures forever.." (Psalm 136:3)

Challenge: if you didn’t create an index file of breathe prayers. Simply write them out on index cards or other creative way that you are inspired to do.

Prayer Prompts and Bible Readings are provided by Michele Bowden and Lisa Brass, Coaches and Digital Missioners with Visual Faith™ Ministry. Find them on our Creative Devotion page, on Instagram @victoryinart and @aworthylif, and on the web at victoryinart.com.