St Martin's, Fivehead

Using Rest to Pray

Most of us think of prayer as a very demanding activity, but did you know it can be extremely restful?

One of the great verses in the Bible says this: ‘Be still and know that I am God’ (Psalm 46:10). It suggests we experience God most fully when we are still. When we cease rushing around, pausing for a moment of thought and recollection, we are becoming prayerful, and God is very near. Even a break for a morning coffee can be a moment for prayer, if we slow ourselves down and allow our thoughts to turn towards God.

An essential part of resting is to breathe slowly. Christian tradition has always made a connection between prayer and breathing. You can learn to pray to the rhythm of your breathing, using chosen prayer words to focus. As you breathe in, you might say ‘Abba’, and then, as you breathe out, add the word ‘Father’. Or when breathing in, say ‘Lord, I breathe in your peace’ and as you breathe out, say ‘Lord, I breathe out my anxiety’. Choose words which are meaningful to you, deliberately slowing your breathing so you become relaxed and peaceful.

Perhaps you have a favourite chair where you are able to unwind easily. For a few moments sit and do nothing. Simply become aware of the present moment, reminding yourself you are in the presence of God. As you feel yourself relax, bask in the knowledge of God’s love and acceptance of you. Sense his smile of approval upon you. You don’t have to do anything, just ’be’ for a moment. This too is prayer.

Sometimes we are forced to rest by circumstances ..... illness, disability, growing older and so on slow us down and we can’t rush around like we used to do. Don’t fight against your circumstances. Enter into the place of rest that God is giving you. He loves you for who you are, not for what you do. Turn your thoughts into prayer and offer them to God. You don’t need to advise God as to what He should do; simply hold people before Him, leaving the outcome to Him.

Prayer should be a natural expression of our relationship with God. Sometimes we have words, sometimes silence is enough. We don’t need to impress God with our fervour. We can relax and be rested, even as we pray.

St Martin's, Fivehead

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