Each prayer is seven syllables, adapted from a way of praying by the Desert Fathers in the early centuries of the church. Three syllables are associated with inhaling, three with exhaling, with the final syllable on the rest at the end of the breathing cycle.
Often the prayers are simple phrases, using the gerund "ing" form. This helps to enter the living, timeless stream of the prayers offered, quieting the mind's activity and centering the prayer in the heart.
I suggest you post them by your door or on the refrigerator, use as a bookmark, place in your wallet, or tape to a slap bracelet. I prefer wearing the bracelet; it's a way to complete the prescription of the Lord in Deuteronomy 6:8 "Bind [these words] as a sign on your hand..." Write to me at njconnolly7@gmail.com to learn how to make inexpensive slap bracelets.
You'll discover your own way to pray these prayers. However, in the original design of the plan, the four Bible Breaths are each dedicated to a quarter-part of am and pm, joining with others praying the same prayer at the same time around the world. Here's how...
Find your hour when 12am GMT occurs.
Round off to the nearest quarter-part of the day or night. For example, 7pm would round off to 6 pm; 8pm would be 9pm.
Begin the first Bible Breath each day at your quarter-part that syncs with 12am GMT. Repeat the sequence once, offering a Bible Breath for each of the eight quarter-parts of am and pm. Those participating will be praying the same prayer at the same time all around the world!
Click here
for weekly resources from The Bible Through the Seasons which include a pdf file of the Bible Breaths for each week. Small and large-print versions are included for your convenience according to how you wish to view the Bible Breaths.
May your breaths be blessings!
Nick Connolly