Breath prayers

I once heard about something called breath prayers, the idea being that you pray continually as you move throughout your day. It’s a way to remember that we’re constantly in God’s presence and that our prayers should never cease, as Paul says in the New Testament. I don’t do it as it was intended (praying a short phrase to the rhythm of your breaths), but when I think of it, it’s a good way to make prayer as natural as breathing.

I think more about these breath prayers now that I have children. It seems I’m in constant need of mercy, grace and forgiveness as I shepherd these little ones through their day. I don’t always notice the times I’m talking to God, but my daughter Kate does. She often comes in the room and asks, “Mama, why are you talking in such a low voice?” Apparently, I talk to myself, but I know at least some of those times I’m praying. 

One good thing about these frequent prayers is that they’re rubbing off on Kate, and hopefully her sister Sela is picking up on them as well. It’s getting to where Kate’s first reaction is often to pray. In her uncomplicated world, these prayers are simple and often hilarious. Just the other day, she found a little toy flashlight she’d been looking for. My husband Matt found her shining it into the dark fireplace saying, “Thank you God for helping me find this. I appreciate it.” 

Earlier that same day, we went to the drugstore, and it was about to rain. I told her we needed to hurry so we wouldn’t get caught in the rain. She said, “Well, I’ll just pray that God will keep the rain away from us.” As we walked in, I looked down and saw her little hands folded together in prayer. I love that she’s turning to God in her “need” and seeing Him as the one who can help her the best. 

As I get older, I find it’s easier for me to go to God with big issues — I have enough perspective to understand that He really does take care of me and that He can take care of whatever problems arise, however big they are. But it’s often the small things that trip me up — the things I think I can handle on my own, that are too trivial to take to God. Maybe I talk to Matt or my mom or a friend about them. Maybe I just sit and stew about them, or better yet, worry about them. Instead, I should take a cue from my daughter and pray. God tells us to not be anxious about anything, but to pray about everything.  

Easier said than done, right? It usually is, but the peace that comes from not only going to God but also leaving the problem there at His feet is priceless. Sometimes, if I’m feeling extra anxious about a particular issue, I’ll get a piece of paper and write down everything that’s bothering me. Often, I’ll cover the whole piece of paper with words and phrases, everything that comes to mind that is making me worry. Then I rip up the paper. I tear it into the smallest pieces I can and drop them in the garbage. Sure, maybe it’s a little symbolic, but it’s my way of saying, “God, take this and do whatever you want with it. Just give me peace.” 

Lauren can be reached at LaurenKDenton@gmail.com. You can also find her tweeting writerly things on Twitter @LaurenKDenton.