“Breath can be an ally in labor or when we experience physical or emotional pain” ~Christine Valters Painter.
I have always loved missionary stories. I once read of a woman who lived among a people group who believed that life ended when one could not speak. She watched helplessly as people with breath and heartbeats were buried deep into the earth because their voices lay silent due to severe illness or injury. When life’s challenges exposed my own feelings of powerlessness and buried me under my fears, breathing prayer became a simple and powerful tool to point me—my emotions, my mind, my will—toward His peace and trusting Him to do what only He can do.
Like those buried alive, there have been times I have found myself on a path I would not have chosen, times when my voice has been exhausted or canceled. In these moments, I have been compelled to breathe prayer silently—to connect my breath and thoughts to words that restore life and hope, words that anchor my soul to the very breath and words of the living God!
The first breathing prayer I anchored to came from Isaiah 26:3.
Breathe in: You will keep in perfect peace
Breath out: whose mind is stayed on you
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.” Using blueletterbible.org, you can find Strong’s lexicon concordance to help understand the original language. You will find in perfect peace is the Hebrew word shalom, bringing the idea of complete wellness, wholeness, and safety, a cry of “all is well.”
When breaking down the phrase whose mind is stayed on you, we are ledto the Hebrew word Samak, a verb meaning to lean against, rest upon, to be upheld.
Breathing prayers are a simple and steadying path to use my breath and thoughts to [samak] lean against, rest upon, and be upheld by the Spirit of God. These moments of overwhelm have become treasures, for it is not by my might or power that I have not been overtaken by despair. His mercy, kindness, and strength are an ever-present help in times of trouble. In my weakness and pain, He is strong. He gives me perfect peace [shalom] even when nothing changes.
Breath prayers have been lifelines when my voice has been silenced or exhausted; my breath declares my dependence on God and brings me to meditate on His words. These are sacred moments of connecting what life I have left. While I am still breathing, I set my intention on the truth that restores hope and life, anchoring my soul to God’s words and breath.
Jennifer Neufeld is an RN, Christian writer, and speaker focusing on practical opportunities to grow in physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness, specifically for those with mental health challenges and their families. Growing up in Idaho, much of Jennifer’s activities involved the outdoors. After several mental health challenges faced by various family members, Jennifer also had to walk her own journey through depression and anxiety, where she rediscovered a passion for nature and people. Then, in January 2020, Jennifer stepped out in faith to invite others to join her on local trails. You can connect with Jennifer at freshjourney.online.
