"BREATH PRAYER" Kids Ministry Coffee Break 14: Breath & prayer are wonderful spiritual partners to help us embrace peace in the moment; here's a simple tool to help you be grounded in the Holy Spirit.

Breath prayer is a simple prayer technique that can offer tremendous comfort, guidance, help, and calm amid the busyness.

The idea is simple: Close your eyes and take a slow breath in. As you breathe in, silently offer up a title for God.

• Jesus, Jesus Christ, Lord, Savior, Creator, Father, Mother, Giver of Life, Holy Spirit, Sustainer, Redeemer, etc. Whatever title you feel like using…use it as you inhale.

Then exhale as you offer a prayer.

• you can make a request or offer praise or simply make a statement.
• Give me strength, Holy are You!, you are the giver of life, you are God, help me!, etc.

Then repeat this prayer as you continue to breathe…in/out…in/out…until you are ready to open your eyes and resume your day.

One of my go-tos is “Holy Lord, I am Wholly Yours.”

In moments where I’m struggling to maintain composure, or keep my cool, or not lose it, or freak out, or get angry…I close my eyes and breathe deeply while saying, “Holy Lord, I am Wholly Yours.”

It’s a good reminder as well as an accountability statement.

Holy Lord—you who are set apart…who doesn’t look or act like anyone else…

I am Wholly Yours—You are my God and I am your child…every part of me…not just 50% or 99% or the part that is able to keep my cool…every part…so I need to let that identity guide me in this moment.

I…am…wholly…yours…

In/out, in/out, in/out.

It gives us a soul time-out

It lets us get out of our heads and get out of the moment and simply dwell in a Holy Peace using the very Divine Breath we were given at our birth.

Try this the next time you need to decompress or take a soul time-out.

In the thick of Holy Week…when you are trying to soak every ounce of glory and meaning you can from the Easter events are happening around you…while at the same time trying to implement your ministry with students…when the moment becomes less-than-calm and holy for you…take 30 seconds and try a breath prayer.

In the morning…before you begin the day

Later when you enter your office and sit down…before you get to work

When you sit down at a table with food…before you eat

When you enter into your ministry space with your students…before you start the activity

When you get home and switch gears from the busyness of the day to your own time of rest and relaxation…

When you lie down in the evening…to remind yourself of our place with God

Whenever, wherever, however…offer a breath prayer

And let your God-given breath be a source of peace, power, and presence for you

Today's message is brought to you be Rev. Joseph Sanford of Sanford Curriculum -- children and youth resources created by he and Lauren Sanford. These are available on The Sunday School Store. https://sundayschool.store/products/the-lord-s-prayer-5-lesson-sunday-school-curriculum-for-kids

Music by The Muse Maker

https://10bibleverses.com/biblical-reference/what-is-a-devotional-how-to-have-a-quiet-time-with-god-using-prayer-and-bible-study/

https://ministry-to-children.com/five-finger-prayer/

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