Mantras & Breath Prayers
If you’ve been in the yoga world, or even if you haven’t, you’ve probably heard of the term “mantra”. What is it?
A mantra is a word, sound, saying, phrase, or affirmation that is seen as a positive way of changing your outlook towards something. They also serve as a reminder for goals you may be working towards.
Some traditional examples: I create my own luck. I am beautiful. I am grateful. I will be fearless today. I will not look back, only forward. I have the courage to say “no”. I change my life, when I change my thinking. I will make my dreams happen. I choose to see the good.
So based on these examples, mantras or affirmations, can have a positive place in our lives. I most recently have been using “I can do hard things.” Ha, I say this to myself when I am biking up a hill or waiting in line when I need help at the checkout counter but the clerk has skipped over me 3 times. “I can do hard things. I can be patient.” Deep breath. These are mantras used as part of building up resiliency - how you react to and overcome difficult situations.
Many mantras imply or directly state a reliance on the self. So "I" statements. While these things are not outwardly negative, they deny that God is in control and instead say that you, yourself are in control. So to take some of these mantras into the Biblical light, you recognize that God is the one in control. While there are many examples of this through stories in the bible, a piece of scripture I like that is relates to this is, Psalm 121:1, “I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Some biblically influenced examples: God directs my future. I am beautiful, I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and I am who God made me to be. I am grateful to God for _. God is in control. God is for me. He says, Do not be afraid. I put my trust in Him. Love is patient, love is kind. In my above mentioned example of a mantra that I use, “I can do hard things” it would be more powerful (and accurate) for me to say, “God helps me do hard things.”
A breath prayer is a short, quick prayer that may or may not be related to scripture. Prayers often contain requests; however, they may be used for all purposes, to seek comfort, confidence, wisdom, forgiveness, etc. Using breath prayers has a similar purpose of focusing the mind, creating positive mindsets and establishing a desire to connect with the Father. These can become a living meditation and can be used as an opportunity to “pray continually” (1 Thess. 5:17). By having several of these memorized you'll find that the Holy Spirit can guide you to them when you need them. While syncing the breath isn’t necessary to say a breath prayer, you may find it a more powerful way to calm the mind.
Breath Prayer Examples:
Jesus, give me peace.
(Inhale) Heavenly father, (Exhale) give me wisdom and guidance
(Inhale) Prince of Peace, (Exhale) let your presence fill my presence
(Inhale) May I seek more of you, (Exhale) and less of me.
(Inhale) Father, (Exhale) may your dreams be my dreams
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. (this is a traditional one)
Breath Prayer examples based on scripture:
(Inhale) I can do all things (Exhale) through Christ who strengthens me. -Philippians 4:13
(Inhale) I will trust in the Lord with all my heart (Exhale) and lean not on my own understanding. -Proverbs 3:5
So both mantras and breath prayers can be used all throughout the day. Do you think one is more powerful than another? Do you prefer mantras, breath prayers or both?
Please leave in the comments some of the mantras or breath prayers you are using!
