What do you want me to do for you?
That’s the question Jesus asks a blind man named Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52).
It’s also the question at the center of the particular breath brayer practice I shared with you last Sunday and invited you to give it a try this week.
How would you answer that question? What is it you would like Jesus to do for you? How do you make that a part of your breathing in and out prayer — praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17)?
If you want to create your own breath prayer around that question, here is the simple process we talked about and experienced together last Sunday. I hope it has been (or will be) helpful in practicing God’s presence in your everyday life.
CREATE YOUR OWN BREATH PRAYER Pray without ceasing. I Thessalonians 5:17 1. Find a quiet place to be alone with God. 2. Breathe in and out to settle yourself in the moment. 3. Imagine Jesus standing before you, calling you by name, and asking you, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51) 4. Respond with what you want him to do for you: For example, “I want you to take away my fear,” “I want to feel your love,” “I want to be healthy,” or “I want to know your forgiveness.” 5. Combine your desire with a name for God you’re comfortable with into a 6-8 syllable phrase. For example, “Lord, take away my fear,” or “Jesus, let me feel your love,” or “Holy One, lead me into health.” 6. Breathe this prayer in and out until you’ve memorized it. 7. Whatever you do in the days ahead, let his prayer be on your breath, silently in your heart and mind. Stay with it for 30 days. Write down your thoughts. How do you see the prayer connecting to your life? What do you notice going on within you?
In the days ahead, as you commit your breathing to this prayer and the prayer to your breathing, do not be surprised if, at some point, you move from praying the prayer to the prayer being prayed in you, like breathing.
Looking forward to worshiping with you on Sunday!
Much love to you, my friends,
Pastor Gregg
P.S. Save the date — Sunday, September 10th. Sunday Funday at Park!
