Today feels like a great day to share with you some “breath prayer” art made by my real-life friend, Lisa! Her shop, My Little Buffalo, features beautiful and perfectly simplistic illustrations (family portraits & wall art). I was first introduced to the concept of a breath prayer through the writings of the late Shelly Miller. Have you heard of them?
To begin, simply meditate on a verse while slowly breathing in and out. I admit I find a lot of comfort in this type of prayer. It feels like the most natural way to pray, to talk to God. All throughout the day, many moments arise where I need Him or am thankful for Him or just want to be near Him. I’ve tried praying once tucked in bed for the evening, but by that time the amount of things to share is so high, I always fall asleep before I’m done.
So, breath prayers. They are my dearest friend! (Certainly better than the other under-my-breath mutterings I’ve been known to release…)
Changing topics! My fourth week of Seminary has already begun! Each class is 8 weeks, so we are moving right along. I’m not sure if I mentioned this in my previous post: my first class is Hermeneutics (Biblical Interpretation). And great news, I can now spell and pronounce it correctly! ;) How is class going? you wonder. Well, to be perfectly honest it’s a lot of reading each week, plus a lot of research / paper writing / discussion board posting. AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. I’m challenged with my studies, proud of the effort I am putting in, and still pinching myself this is where I’m at in life.
Last night I did something that really brings me a lot of joy. I painted my fingernails. Bubble-gum pink, to answer the question you silently asked. I’ve also been listening to Elisabeth Elliot sermons, this song by Elyssa Smith / UPPERROOM, and the birds that live in our trees. (I love them so much!)
I hope you are doing well. Tell me, do you have anything delicious planned for dinner this week? Have you been on a swingset yet this (almost) summer? What is the title of the book you’re reading?
xx, Maggie
Love hearing about your Master’s degree progress! Thanks for filling us all in on your blog. :)
Dinner wise I will be making lemon shrimp pasta for my family tomorrow and just finished the book “The Memoir Project” by Marion Roach Smith. A great read for writers who enjoy writing personal essays! You may like it in fact. Have a great week, Maggie!
I’ll definitely look into that book. Thanks so much for sharing and leaving a comment, Miranda! xx
My breath prayer is the Jesus Prayer from the ancient Fathers.
(Inhaling) Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God
(Exhaling) Be merciful to me, a sinner
For years this has been a connection and comfort for me. I often fall asleep at night breathing this prayer.
Thank you for sharing, Mollianne! xx
I learned about breath prayers from a recent episode of The Next Right Thing! How funny that you should share these this week!! :) I’ve been focusing on breathing a lot this year — my word of the year is Stillness and I center myself by saying “I am still” while breathing and meditating. It’s been such a wonderful shift for me — and I’m not surprised to hear that we use such similar methods to calm ourselves!!
I am SO glad that school has been such a wonderful challenge for you, Maggie. I can’t wait to follow along, although I know blogging time for you will be limited. Are your classes in-person or virtual? I hope you love your classmates – they make such a difference in grad school!
I’m trying to eat more plant based, so this week we had yummy black beans & quinoa and spicy peanut butter tofu with rice. I’m planning to make a giant salad this weekend! I’ve also revived my sourdough starter and am going to try my hand at veggie-ful sourdough pizzas! Summer eating is the best!
(Also: I wouldn’t know how to pronounce Hermeneutics either! I had to copy/paste it from your blog post just to make sure I could spell it!! and somehow, I always lean towards the ballet pinks when I paint my nails. I have a rainbow assortment of light pinks!)