What Is Breath Prayer?
Breath prayer is a simple prayer practice that can hold an incredible amount of power. By combining Scripture and prayer with meditative breathing, you can feel more grounded in God’s presence in just a few deep breaths.
Getting started with breath prayer
To build a breath prayer, consider what short Scripture best describes how you need God in the present moment. You only need one or two verses; keep it short enough that you can recite it while inhaling and exhaling. For example, “[Inhale] Good Shepherd, [Exhale] lead me beside still waters” is a breath prayer inspired by Psalm 23.
1. Inhale with a name or description of God found in Scripture
“God, you are …”
Strength, refuge or help (Psalm 46:1)
Eternal or Infinite King (Psalm 10:16, 1 Timothy 1:17)
Defender, shield or safety (Psalm 3:3)
Conqueror or victorious (Romans 8:37, 1 John 4:4)
Compassionate, gracious or kind (Psalm 145:8, Lamentations 3:22-23)
Attentive or listener (Psalm 34:15, Psalm 66:19)
Anchor, rock or fortress (Hebrews 6:19, Psalm 62:6)
Holy or just judge (Deuteronomy 32:4, Isaiah 6:3)
Guide, teacher or shepherd (Psalm 32:8, Psalm 23, Psalm 25:4-5)
Gardener, vine (John 15)
Advocate (1 John 2:1, Romans 8:34)
Gentle or patient (Matthew 11:29, 2 Peter 3:9)
Friend (John 15:15)
Trustworthy, loyal or faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:24, Psalm 33:4, Deuteronomy 7:9, 2 Timothy 2:13)
Unchanging (Hebrews 13:8)
Joy (Psalm 16:11, Romans 15:13)
Redeemer (Job 19:25, Isaiah 43:1)
Provider (Philippians 4:19, 2 Corinthians 9:8)
2. Exhale with a short phrase expressing your desire or need.
“... I need …”
“... I surrender …”
“... Please do/be …”
Here’s how your breath prayer might look when you stitch the two together:
The purpose of breath prayer
Breath prayer, like all prayer, provides an opportunity to draw close to God and remember his truth. It’s a simple practice that, when rooted in Scripture, can remind you of God’s presence, goodness and provision in a moment. Next time you feel overwhelmed, take a moment to inhale a reminder of who God is, and exhale your need as an act of surrender and trust.
Related resources
Interested in deepening your prayer life? Cru®’s Sō Prayer Cards guide users through a holistic prayer experience. Each card includes prompts and verses to direct thoughts toward God, inward reflection and outward prayer for others. The cards are portable, durable, and beautifully designed, making them a great resource for both personal and group prayer. Buy a set for yourself or your small group today!
