Breath as Prayer

Monday, April 20

Breath as Prayer

Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

There’s something deeply comforting about the idea that even our breathing can become a form of prayer. In Breath as Prayer, Jennifer Tucker describes a simple yet powerful practice of slowing your breath and aligning each inhale and exhale with the rhythm of God’s Word. Just try it! Breathe in peace (inhale) and breathe out truth (exhale).

Imagine breathing in a line of Scripture, then breathing out the next. A quiet exchange between your body and your soul. A deliberate intention to take in its comfort and speak its truths. This intentional rhythm doesn’t just calm the body; it gently redirects the mind back to truth. Over time, it becomes more than a practice; it becomes a refuge.

For those suffering from anxiety, one lesson they learn is to control their breathing by slowing it down. For some, in moments of anxiety, it grounds the heart. On ordinary days, it strengthens both body and spirit. With each breath, truth is tucked deeper into the heart, and pathways of peace begin to form in the mind. Isn’t that beautiful?

So today, there’s an invitation to simply try. To breathe in His Word and breathe out your worries. What do we have to lose?

Prayer for today: Lord, teach me to slow down and breathe in Your truth. Calm my anxious thoughts and steady my heart. With every breath, remind me of Your presence and Your peace. Help me trust that You are with me, even in the hardest moments. Amen.