By Larry DeBruyn
Guarding His Flock Ministries
“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
To direct people on a spiritual journey for 40 days, Rick Warren wrote The Purpose Driven Life. The bestselling book has impacted millions of persons. Some of Pastor Warren’s purpose involves recommendations for “Becoming Best Friends with God.” To become God’s friends, the author shares six secrets, one of which is practicing God’s presence by being in “constant conversation” with him. After quoting 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (“pray without ceasing“), Warren asks how a Christian can practice unceasing prayer to which he answers:
One way is to use “breath prayers” throughout the day, as many Christians have done for centuries. You choose a brief sentence or a simple phrase that can be repeated in one breath. [1]
Then after providing ten examples of short biblical phrases that could work as breath prayers, Warren advises “Pray it as often as possible so it is rooted deep in your heart.”[1] In this context, Warren also cites the book of Brother Lawrence (c.1605-1691), The Practice of the Presence of God, who advocated experiencing God’s presence in the most menial of circumstances by praying short conversational prayers throughout the day. The Roman Catholic practice of praying the rosary is akin to breath prayers.
Advocates of breath prayers recommend the discipline of repeatedly breathing out a short biblical phrase of prayer. For example, in the parable of The Pharisee and the Publican (Luke 18:9-14), Jesus portrayed a tax collector who, in repentance and humility, cried out, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” Out of this parable The Desert Fathers, a monastic group in Egypt circa the 5th century, created the Kyrie Eleison prayer (i.e., “Lord have mercy.”) which became known as the “Jesus Prayer.” [2] The prayer became a favorite of these fathers who later expanded it to be, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” [3] This prayer, as well as others, they chanted over and over again.
As one advocate of contemplative spirituality summarizes:
One of the beautiful things that emerged from the disciplined life of the Desert Fathers was their soul-full practice of contemplative prayer, including the use of ‘Breath Prayers.’ The Desert Fathers preferred short, one breath prayers offered in a receptive stillness before God . . . To focus their minds simply on Christ and to descend with Christ into their hearts these monks slowly repeated their short holy prayers over and over with each breath. Many of these prayers were a perfect body rhythm of seven syllables that easily could be whispered in one breath. [4]
As linked to The Desert Fathers, this helps account for Warren’s advice to pray breath prayers as, “many Christians have done for centuries.” [5] If in the context of Christendom those fathers originated breath praying, then a question arises, did The Desert Fathers borrow the method from someone else? Might they have adopted the method from the monastic and mystic practices of other ancient religions? [6] Click here to continue reading.
Related Article:
The Desert Fathers—Borrowing From the East
(image from istockphoto.com; used with permission)
Great warning once again.. Against the slithering snake, that is Rick Warren.. Hopefully you guys will do an article or booklet exposing john mark comer.. The younger fresh face of RCC mysticism/spiritual disciplines and pusher of the enneagram. An extremely dangerous individual who is gaining ground. My son-in-law’s church who is a Bethel following hyper charismatic is now having all the home fellowships study John Mark Comer’s Practicing the Way teachings after doing 4 months of the Alpha Course being taught by a man who promoted the late marxist/Jesuit pope Francis
An informative and instructive article revealing deception by the misuse of scripture. Matthew 6:7-8 came to mind after reading the first few sentences. Acts 17:10-11 gives us the instruction we should use when confronted with something of questionable origin, while always relying on the Holy Spirit’s conformation. Thank you Lighthouse Trails for all you do in your ministry for believers.