In our prayer group last night we prayed about the need to be still and let God speak. That made me reflect on the breath of God. When God breathes on us, wonderful things happen. Here are just a few from scripture:
God breathed creation into existence.
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. – Psalms 33:6
He breathes into us and gives us life.
The Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. – Genesis2:7
He breathes his very essence over us, filling and empowering us to carry on his mission.
And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” –John 20:22
He breathed out life-giving words, revealing himself and showing us how to live well.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
We live in a crazy time and we need the breath of God now more than ever.
Father, breathe on us. Breathe love. Breathe hope. Breathe courage into those who walk in fear. Breathe joy into those who are living in disappointment. Breathe wisdom into us. Breathe peace into us. Breathe healing into us. Breathe into us humility. Breathe new life into us so that we can experience your revival and renewal across our lives, our homes, our communities, our churches, and our world.
I’ve included a hymn we used to sing in the church that cries out for God’s breath.
“Breathe on me, Breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love the way you love,
and do what you would do.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
until my heart is pure,
until my will is one with yours,
to do and to endure.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
so shall I never die,
but live with you the perfect life
for all eternity.” – Edwin Hatch