Breath. We barely even give it a thought and yet it is vital to life… in more ways than one.
Our scripture reading comes from Romans 8:26-28, 38-39
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose… For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Have you ever had one of those days that can only be summed up in a big, long, loud sigh? Maybe it was a particularly rough day where nothing really went right and now you are tired beyond words and all you can do is let out a long deep sigh that it is almost over.
Or maybe you’ve had a great day! A day full of laughter, love, and all good things and again, there are no words, only a deep, long, sigh joy and love and maybe even a little sadness that the day is ending.
Those sighs, well, they’re little wordless prayers full of breath and meaning. Perhaps it’s gratitude for a beautiful day or perhaps it’s more of a cry for help. Either way that breath, that sigh is a way of communing with our Maker.
Sometimes when we sit down to pray, we just have no words and that’s okay. Just take a moment to focus on your breath, in and out. Breathe in the spirit and let it fill you completely, hold it for just a moment and then slowly let it out and with it let your problems of the day, the toxins of your life flow out with the breath. Give it God, just let it go. Spend some time doing this over and over and watch how your mind calms, your heart rate steadies and just begin to feel better as you breathe in communion with your maker.
Will you pray with me?
Take a deep breath in… now hold it… one, two, three, four… now let it out slowly.
Take a deep breath in… hold it…. Now let it out in a deep, full sigh.
Take a deep breath in… hold it… sigh…
Do this for as long as you need to.
Amen.
Simply Sherri 
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