by Sarah Wontorcik

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 …” 

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.

Since 1951, Cru has helped individuals who grapple with integrating faith into daily life by offering practical steps and community support. As a result, countless people in over 190 countries have been empowered to move from passive belief to active faith.

CRU is a faithful partner of The Bolick Foundation