Breath Prayer: Connecting Spirit and Daily Life
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we explored the profound connection between our breath and our spiritual life. We began by acknowledging the chaos of our world and the importance of gathering together as an act of resistance against evil. We then delved into a story about my granddaughter, Emma, who, through relentless practice, became a gymnast. This story illustrated the principle that we become what we practice. Whether it's anger, peace, or gratitude, our consistent actions shape our character.
We continued our series on spiritual practices by focusing on breath prayer. Spiritual practices are intentional activities that deepen our relationship with God and transform our inner selves. Mindful breathing, a scientifically backed method to reduce stress and improve mental clarity, can be a powerful spiritual practice. Our breath, a sacred gift from God, connects us to the divine. The name of God, Yahweh, is even thought to mimic the sound of breathing, emphasizing the sacredness of our breath.
We examined biblical instances where breath signifies divine presence, such as God breathing life into Adam and Jesus breathing the Holy Spirit onto His disciples. These examples highlight that our breath is a testament to the divine within us. Breath prayer, a practice dating back to early Christianity, involves using our breath to focus on God and scripture. This practice can help us find peace, increase our faith, and transform our lives.
I shared my personal experience with breath prayer during a challenging time in my life, emphasizing its benefits in calming the mind and connecting with God. Breath prayer can be practiced anywhere and anytime, making it a versatile tool for spiritual growth. We concluded with a guided breath prayer exercise, encouraging everyone to incorporate this practice into their daily lives to become agents of God's kingdom.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Practice: Just as my granddaughter Emma became a gymnast through relentless practice, we too become what we consistently practice. Whether it's anger, peace, or gratitude, our repeated actions shape our character and spiritual life. Practicing positive spiritual disciplines can transform us into more Christ-like individuals. [40:03]
2. Breath as a Sacred Gift: Our breath is a sacred gift from God that connects us to the divine. The name of God, Yahweh, is thought to mimic the sound of breathing, emphasizing the sacredness of our breath. Every breath we take is a silent whisper of God's name, uniting us all regardless of our differences. [46:59]
3. Biblical Significance of Breath: The Bible uses breath to signify divine presence, such as God breathing life into Adam and Jesus breathing the Holy Spirit onto His disciples. These instances highlight that our breath is a testament to the divine within us, reminding us of the sacred life force that sustains us. [49:07]
4. Transformative Power of Breath Prayer: Breath prayer is a powerful spiritual practice that can help us find peace, increase our faith, and transform our lives. By connecting our breath to God and scripture, we can calm our minds, focus on the divine, and become more attuned to God's presence in our daily lives. [52:55]
5. Practical Application of Breath Prayer: Breath prayer can be practiced anywhere and anytime, making it a versatile tool for spiritual growth. Whether at a stoplight, in a waiting room, or during transitions in the day, this practice helps us stay connected to God and show up as more present, peaceful, and loving individuals. [55:24]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[37:28] - Act of Resistance
[38:24] - Emma's Gymnastics Journey
[40:03] - We Become What We Practice
[41:41] - What is a Spiritual Practice?
[42:25] - Science of Mindful Breathing
[43:17] - Breath as a Sacred Gift
[44:03] - Moses and the Name of God
[46:59] - Breath Unites Us All
[47:43] - Biblical Significance of Breath
[49:07] - Jesus Breathes the Holy Spirit
[49:49] - New Creation in Christ
[50:37] - Breath Prayer and Transformation
[51:15] - Historical Practice of Breath Prayer
[52:25] - Personal Experience with Breath Prayer
[53:33] - How to Practice Breath Prayer
[54:56] - Practical Applications of Breath Prayer
[56:38] - Guided Breath Prayer Exercise
[01:04:52] - Closing Prayer and Challenge
[01:07:54] - Final Encouragement and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 2:7 (NIV): "Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being."
2. John 20:22 (NIV): "And with that he breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'"
3. Psalm 46:10 (NIV): "He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What does Genesis 2:7 tell us about the origin of human life and the role of God's breath in it?
2. In John 20:22, what significant event occurs when Jesus breathes on His disciples? [48:24]
3. How does Psalm 46:10 relate to the practice of breath prayer as discussed in the sermon? [57:19]
4. According to the sermon, how does the name of God, Yahweh, relate to our breath? [45:16]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the act of God breathing life into Adam in Genesis 2:7 shape our understanding of the sacredness of breath?
2. What is the significance of Jesus breathing the Holy Spirit onto His disciples in John 20:22, and how does this connect to the idea of new creation? [49:49]
3. How can the practice of breath prayer, as described in the sermon, help individuals experience the presence of God in their daily lives? [52:25]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the transformative power of breath prayer in dealing with stress and anxiety? [52:55]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed or stressed. How might the practice of breath prayer have helped you in that situation? [52:25]
2. The sermon mentions that we become what we practice. What are some habits or practices in your life that you would like to change to become more Christ-like? [40:03]
3. How can you incorporate breath prayer into your daily routine? Identify specific moments in your day where you can practice this, such as during transitions or while waiting. [55:24]
4. The sermon highlights the unifying power of breath, transcending all boundaries. How can this understanding influence the way you interact with people from different backgrounds or beliefs? [46:59]
5. Think about a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you use breath prayer to invite God's presence and peace into that situation? [52:55]
6. The sermon encourages us to be agents of God's kingdom. What specific actions can you take this week to show up as a more present, peaceful, and loving individual in your community? [56:00]
7. How can you use breath prayer to focus your last thoughts on God before going to bed? What impact do you think this might have on your sleep and overall well-being? [56:38]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Practice
Our daily actions shape our character and spiritual life. Just as a gymnast becomes skilled through relentless practice, we too become what we consistently practice. Whether it's anger, peace, or gratitude, our repeated actions mold our inner selves. By intentionally practicing positive spiritual disciplines, we can transform into more Christ-like individuals. This principle reminds us that our habits and routines are powerful tools for spiritual growth and character development. [40:03]
1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV): "Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."
Reflection: What is one negative habit you practice regularly? How can you replace it with a positive spiritual discipline starting today?
Day 2: Breath as a Sacred Gift
Our breath is a sacred gift from God that connects us to the divine. The name of God, Yahweh, is thought to mimic the sound of breathing, emphasizing the sacredness of our breath. Every breath we take is a silent whisper of God's name, uniting us all regardless of our differences. This understanding invites us to see our breath as a constant reminder of God's presence and a source of spiritual connection. [46:59]
Job 33:4 (ESV): "The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life."
Reflection: Take a moment to focus on your breathing. How does recognizing your breath as a sacred gift from God change your perspective on daily life?
Day 3: Biblical Significance of Breath
The Bible uses breath to signify divine presence, such as God breathing life into Adam and Jesus breathing the Holy Spirit onto His disciples. These instances highlight that our breath is a testament to the divine within us, reminding us of the sacred life force that sustains us. This biblical perspective encourages us to see our breath as more than a physical necessity but as a spiritual connection to God. [49:07]
Genesis 2:7 (ESV): "Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature."
Reflection: How can you become more aware of God's presence in your life through the simple act of breathing?
Day 4: Transformative Power of Breath Prayer
Breath prayer is a powerful spiritual practice that can help us find peace, increase our faith, and transform our lives. By connecting our breath to God and scripture, we can calm our minds, focus on the divine, and become more attuned to God's presence in our daily lives. This practice, rooted in early Christianity, offers a simple yet profound way to deepen our spiritual journey. [52:55]
Psalm 63:6 (ESV): "When I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night."
Reflection: Try practicing breath prayer for a few minutes today. How does this practice affect your sense of peace and connection to God?
Day 5: Practical Application of Breath Prayer
Breath prayer can be practiced anywhere and anytime, making it a versatile tool for spiritual growth. Whether at a stoplight, in a waiting room, or during transitions in the day, this practice helps us stay connected to God and show up as more present, peaceful, and loving individuals. Incorporating breath prayer into our daily routine can transform ordinary moments into sacred encounters with the divine. [55:24]
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV): "Pray without ceasing."
Reflection: Identify a specific time or place in your daily routine where you can incorporate breath prayer. How can this practice help you stay connected to God throughout your day?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We become what we practice, and we're always practicing something, whether we realize it or not. If we get angry a lot, we get really good at being angry, and eventually we become an angry person. If we are good at judging and criticizing one another, eventually we become a judgmental, critical person. Likewise, if we get good at practicing being at peace, we can become a peaceful person." [40:03] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Breath is a sacred gift that connects us to the divine. Breathing is a constant act. It's an unending testament to the divine within us. Every breath we take now and every breath that we take in the future is a silent whisper of God's name. And there isn't a Protestant way of breathing or a Catholic way of breathing. No Buddhist way of breathing or Jewish way of breathing. Breathing transcends all boundaries." [46:59] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If we want to make change in this world, if we look around and we're like I don't like the way things are going. I don't think this is right. The places start with us. If we want God's kingdom to come it has to first come in us so that we can show up and be different people. And breath prayer is a powerful practice to help us do just that." [50:37] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Breath prayer it helps us to get out of our heads and quiet our chattering mind so that we can drop down deeply into our bodies and realize that we are in the presence of God. So when you practice breath prayer you do want to be in a place where you can be still and where you can feel comfortable focusing on your breath. And then you just choose a simple prayer." [52:55] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When you come home at the end of the day, how many of you struggle to leave work at the office and be fully present with your family? Right? You pull into the driveway, two minutes, sit in your car, breath prayer, you will walk into your house and you will show up very different for your family. You will be in the presence of God and in the presence of the people that you love just from this simple practice." [56:00] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Spiritual practices are specific activities that we engage in to deepen our relationship with the sacred and the world around us. They're activities that connect us to God, and they enable us to engage our inner self, like our deep being, so that we can open our soul to the transformation of the Spirit of God." [41:41] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Breath prayer is a powerful practice that can help us become this new creation. And if we want to make change in this world, if we look around and we're like I don't like the way things are going. I don't think this is right. The places start with us. If we want God's kingdom to come it has to first come in us so that we can show up and be different people. And breath prayer is a powerful practice to help us do just that." [50:37] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Breath prayer it helps us to get out of our heads and quiet our chattering mind so that we can drop down deeply into our bodies and realize that we are in the presence of God. So when you practice breath prayer you do want to be in a place where you can be still and where you can feel comfortable focusing on your breath. And then you just choose a simple prayer." [52:55] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When you come home at the end of the day, how many of you struggle to leave work at the office and be fully present with your family? Right? You pull into the driveway, two minutes, sit in your car, breath prayer, you will walk into your house and you will show up very different for your family. You will be in the presence of God and in the presence of the people that you love just from this simple practice." [56:00] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I want to just challenge you this week. Wouldn't it be incredible if each one of us throughout our week took some time to just have a breath prayer, your kingdom come, your will be done? Right? Because we're living in a complex time. And I know part of the problem is we all think we know what's right. Not that we don't have some good ideas. But if Seneca Creek would just be a people that could pray that this week, I promise you God's spirit will hear and answer and it will ripple out." [01:07:54] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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