Introduction
The immanent breath of God is always in communion with the Word and the Source of All. … it is the Spirit’s role to dwell in creatures, creating the bond of communion between the creature and the life of God… The Breath of God escapes the limits of the human and embraces the universe and infinitely more. The Spirit is the presence of God at the heart of the universe, a mysterious presence that fills the whole universe yet is intimately interior to each creature. (~ Breath of Life, Denis Edwards)
Stand and greet one another in silence. Take a deep breath. Let it out slowly. Look at each one with reverence and awe, noting the communion shared through breathing together. Pause to be with the reality of both bodily breath and the divine breath drawing one another into an invisible, strengthening union.
Song: “O Living Breath of God” (from: Seven Sacred Pauses, Velma Frye)
Prayers
Jesus said, “The wind blows where it chooses and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” ~ Jn 3:8
Mysterious One, you move me on the winds of your love. You sail with me on the clouds of my uncertainty. You stay with me in the toughest of threatening storms. You whisper in the winds of my searching, so silent at times I wonder if and where you might abide. Ever present, ever elusive, I cannot control or define your interacting essence. Yet you continually draw me to your heart with each breath I take. You ask only that I surrender my desire to regulate and manage how you move and reveal yourself to me.
“The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” ~ Job 33:4
Creator, your breath slipped graciously into my birthing body and brought me forth into life on this planet. With each breath I have taken since coming forth from my mother’s womb your Spirit has breathed within me. With every inhalation and exhalation of my physical form your Spirit urges a strengthened union with you. May I continue to respond to your grace-filled presence until the day I take my last physical breath and unite fully with you, the One Breath.
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting… All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit… ~ Acts 2:1
Spirit of Community, remind me that my life with you is most often found in the midst of others in whom you also live and move and have your being. Your intermingling presence unites me with all living beings. You permeate the space within and between those with whom I engage. You rush in where I least expect. You surprise me with the beauty of your love and your eager passion to change systems and sources that oppress. Ignite my love. Hasten my actions for social justice. Open the doors of my mind and heart so you can fill the entire house of my being with your all-embracing love.
“Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you and you shall live.” ~ Ez 37:5
Giver of Life, your Spirit reaches into the brittle bones of my relationships, enters the dried substance of my prayer, and filters through the withered membranes of my forsaken hope. I wait with patience when I sink into these dehydrated places. I trust that your loving Breath spreads through whatever becomes parched with distractions and unwanted occurrences. I believe you will restore these dried aspects of my inner life with renewed vitality.
Meditation
Sit and be attentive to the pattern of breathing, the natural movement of inhalation and exhalation, the in and out rhythm of this physical gift of life. Enter into quiet meditation using the following breath prayer:
Breathe in the grace-filled, life-giving, light-infused Spirit.
Breathe out this Love to individuals, groups of people, creatures, to all on our planet who are in need of the Holy Spirit’s vibrant, transforming presence.
Prayer together
Spirit of the Universe, Spirit of my heart, I welcome you into my life.
Come visit the places within me where love has yet to find a dwelling
place. Breathe within all I am and all I do with the power of your
transforming grace. I open my entire being to you and thank you for the
gift of your presence. Amen.
