• Develop a breath prayer for yourself. A breath prayer combines your name for God with your deepest longing. It is a simple sentence that can be prayed over and over, at all time and in all places. Use your breath prayer today and the rest of the week.

I love the breath prayer. In my counseling, it is the single-most offered spiritual practice that I give to folks. This simple, four or five word prayer, can be used in every situation - washing dishes, driving, falling asleep, working, caring for children. I find my breath prayer to be particularly useful when I am anxious, when negative thoughts or fears are overtaking me or when I am angry. 

I have used the "Jesus Prayer" as my breath prayer for years: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner." I find that I emphasize different words of that prayer on different occassions. But it never fails to bring me to a centering, quiet, peaceful place, particularly when that is the last thing I feel or am seeking. How has your breath prayer helped you?