Breath prayer is one of the oldest and simplest forms of Christian contemplative prayer. It links a short prayer phrase to the natural rhythm of your breathing — one part on the inhale, one on the exhale. The most famous example is the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.”
The practice has roots in the Desert Fathers and Mothers of the 4th century and draws on Paul's instruction to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). By tying prayer to breath — something you do constantly — the practice trains your heart to be in continual conversation with God.
Breath prayer is especially helpful for anxiety, insomnia, and moments when your mind is too scattered for longer prayer. The steady rhythm of breathing calms your nervous system while the prayer words anchor your heart.
Choose one that resonates, or create your own. The app offers these and many more.
Inhale
“Lord Jesus Christ”
Exhale
“Have mercy on me”
The Jesus Prayer (Eastern Orthodox tradition)
Inhale
“Be still”
Exhale
“And know that I am God”
Psalm 46:10
Inhale
“The Lord is my shepherd”
Exhale
“I shall not want”
Psalm 23:1
Inhale
“Come, Holy Spirit”
Exhale
“Fill me with your peace”
Traditional invocation
Inhale
“I am yours”
Exhale
“You are mine”
Song of Solomon 2:16
A beautiful breathing animation expands and contracts in rhythm, guiding your breath while your chosen prayer phrase appears on screen.
Breath Prayer
Inhale
“Lord Jesus
Christ”
Select a short prayer with two parts — one for the inhale, one for the exhale. The app offers Scripture-based suggestions, or you can write your own.
Sit comfortably and close your eyes. Take a few natural breaths. The guided breathing animation helps you slow down and find a comfortable rhythm.
As you inhale, silently pray the first half. As you exhale, pray the second half. Let the words become part of your breathing — natural and effortless.
Even 2 minutes makes a difference. When distractions come, gently return to the breath and the prayer. The app keeps time so you can let go completely.
The rhythmic breathing activates your parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety naturally.
Rooted in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 — 'pray without ceasing.' Prayer becomes as natural as breathing.
Takes just 2 minutes. Practice on your commute, before a meeting, or in bed when you can't sleep.
“I started using breath prayer during my morning commute. By the time I get to work, I'm centered and calm. It's become the most important 5 minutes of my day. Streams of Grace made it so easy to get started.”
— Marcus T., Premium member
Read our complete guide to getting started with breath prayer.
Read: The Complete Guide to Breath Prayer