Baby Breath Prayers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH8bkmm9XlY

Breath Prayer: תפולת נשימהף/Tfilat neshima

Our Abba is so good, TOV, that He signs his very Presence on our breath. We will explore this more in future blogs. Attention to our breath can bring us deeper intimacy with our Father. The simplicity of just breathing can be a prayer. Cherished words in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 instruct us to first "Hear" or in hebrew, shema/שמע. This hebrew word is so interesting when looking at it from the the ancient language. I have heard it described as a verb form similar to a Father speaking to a child verses a commander giving a command. The Shema word has two sides to a coin so to speak that is lost in our English understanding. It does mean "hear", "listen", but also includes an understanding to then respond when we hear. There is a response waiting from our Father when He says to "hear". The word, shema, specifically is in Deuteronomy 6:4, Strong's Concordance number 8085 if you want to look it up.

From an ancient paleo perspective it is described as "a careful hearing of someone or something as well as responding appropriately in obedience or action. It comes from the hebrew letters Mem and Shin, which is our M and SH. This root is tied to "listening with breath". I truly believe that when we quiet our mind with a focus on our own breath, it begins to soften, quiet, calm our heart and mind. We are then ready to "hear" from Him, when we "pray" with a quiet heart first. This to me is so foreign to how most of the western world actually prays. Could it be that when we are instructed to pray as in the Lord's Prayer that we are first to quiet our spirits to realize to Whom we are approaching in prayer? An extremely loving Father that has something to teach us? I don't know about you, but the thought of a sacred Father that loves me and wants to instruct me as a child is very humbling. I used to feel like this little baby lion when I start to pray outloud. I could barely speak. I remember the first time I gathered with my other "mom" friends to pray. I felt as weak as this baby lion sounds. Our first step doesn't even have to be audible when we pray. We can simply shema, listen, breathe, and meditate on the love our Father has for us. Just breathe and soak up the love from Him.

May your breath be the miracle prayer you need today,

Cynthia