Have you ever noticed that even when you set aside special time during your day to spend with God, the peace you may have experienced often slips away when you are done? By the time you’ve finished your devotions and your Bible Study and your prayer list, the quiet peace of God’s presence gets rudely invaded by outside distractions and to do lists.
So how do you sustain that peace throughout your day?
I have a little book that is entitled Breath Prayers for Women: Simple Whispers That Keep You in God’s Presence. Well, this little book has taught me that God is as close as your breath; and you can spend your entire day with Him — even on the run. Breath prayers are brief, heartfelt prayers that can help you enjoy God’s company and surround your loved ones with prayer without retreating to the mountains and giving up your to do list.
Today’s technology can be a blessing and a curse. A very busy friend of mine said she had to “go dark” to meet a deadline. That meant turning off all communication from the world for a while. That was a new term for me but it resonated, demonstrating how busy we can get and how easy it is to jump right into your day and not even acknowledge that God gave you THAT day as a gift.
It happens to all, of us but I’ve learned to quickly get back on track by the nudge of the Spirit. One verse that helps me to restart or refocus is: Commit unto the Lord all that you do and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3). Once I begin reciting familiar Scripture, the wonderful peace of God’s presence washes over me. I am so thankful for the power of the Holy Spirit’s conviction.
Remember God is as close as your breath. He tells us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:1). When we incorporate breath prayers in our walk, peace will permeate every aspect of our day. For example, if you see a friend, you can pray, “Father, bless her.” As you stand in line and the cashier seems to havee no joy at that moment, silently say, “Father bless her!” The secret is to allow experiences to prompt you to pray for the people and circumstances that surround you at any given moment. Be spontaneous!
So, instead of leaving God in the corner with our Bible or devotional books, breath prayers can be as simple as, well, breathing — helping us to live a life in which God walks alongside us as we talk to Him about the things that cross our paths. Our lives will be transformed as we live continually in God’s presence. Mine surely has and to God I give all the glory!
In Christ Alone,
Becky Owens