Spiritual Practices: Breath Prayer
Overview
In Mark 13, Jesus and the disciples are in Jerusalem at the temple. As his disciples marvel at the beauty and wonder of the temple, Jesus makes the statement in passing that the temple will one day be destroyed. This statement festers in the disciples minds as they leave Jerusalem and walk to the Mount of Olives. From the Mount of Olives they could look over the city of Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. Possibly prompted by the view of the temple, some of the disciples ask Jesus about when these things (the destruction of the temple and the end of the age) will be accomplished. Jesus answers in the rest of Mark 13, which has become a passage that is frequently cited by people who focus on end time prophecy. The key phrase, though, is found in verse seven where Jesus tells his disciples to not be alarmed.
In our society we frequently struggle with worry and anxiety. We worry about the future, what it may hold, and what we cannot control. Jesus tells his followers that in the midst of times like this, we do not need to be alarmed. Jesus is telling things that will happen in the future. That means that nothing that comes is a surprise to him. Even when things may seem to be out of our control, they are not out of his control. In fact, in verse eight, Jesus says that all these things that his followers may be anxious about are the beginning of birth pains. In other words, where his disciples were worried about what has passing away, Jesus is bringing something new and wonderful into being. Like his first followers, we don't need to be anxious. We can trust that he has things in his hands and that he is bringing something new and wonderful into existence in the world as a whole and in our lives individually. This breath prayer is a reminder to not be anxious but to trust in Jesus.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, help me not be anxious.
Overview
In Mark 13, Jesus and the disciples are in Jerusalem at the temple. As his disciples marvel at the beauty and wonder of the temple, Jesus makes the statement in passing that the temple will one day be destroyed. This statement festers in the disciples minds as they leave Jerusalem and walk to the Mount of Olives. From the Mount of Olives they could look over the city of Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. Possibly prompted by the view of the temple, some of the disciples ask Jesus about when these things (the destruction of the temple and the end of the age) will be accomplished. Jesus answers in the rest of Mark 13, which has become a passage that is frequently cited by people who focus on end time prophecy. The key phrase, though, is found in verse seven where Jesus tells his disciples to not be alarmed.
In our society we frequently struggle with worry and anxiety. We worry about the future, what it may hold, and what we cannot control. Jesus tells his followers that in the midst of times like this, we do not need to be alarmed. Jesus is telling things that will happen in the future. That means that nothing that comes is a surprise to him. Even when things may seem to be out of our control, they are not out of his control. In fact, in verse eight, Jesus says that all these things that his followers may be anxious about are the beginning of birth pains. In other words, where his disciples were worried about what has passing away, Jesus is bringing something new and wonderful into being. Like his first followers, we don't need to be anxious. We can trust that he has things in his hands and that he is bringing something new and wonderful into existence in the world as a whole and in our lives individually. This breath prayer is a reminder to not be anxious but to trust in Jesus.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, help me not be anxious.