Breathe: 5 Simple Prayers to Connect With GodSample

Life can feel so heavy sometimes, can’t it?

Maybe you’re facing challenges that seem impossible, decisions that feel overwhelming, or the relentless pace of your day-to-day life is wearing you down. When the weight feels too much, it’s easy to believe you need to keep pushing through—relying on your own strength and effort to make it work. But what if you don’t have to?

Breath prayer offers a simple way to turn toward God in those moments, connecting your breath, your body, and your spirit with His presence. At its core, breath prayer is about simplicity. It’s not about the length or eloquence of your prayer—it’s about opening your heart to God in honest dependence.

One of the most well-known breath prayers comes from Mark 10, where we find the story of Bartimaeus, a blind man crying out to Jesus as He passes by. His words are both desperate and faith-filled:

"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Mark 10:47)

In his desperation, Bartimaeus captures something profound. He doesn’t offer a long, polished prayer. He simply cries out for mercy from the One he knows can save him. And Jesus heals his sight.

This prayer has often been called “The Jesus Prayer” or “the prayer of the heart” and dates all the way back to the 3rd or 4th centuries.

It’s shortened even further to a breath prayer of just two words: Jesus, mercy.

These words distill the cry of our hearts, even when we don’t have the breath—or the energy—for anything more.

Wherever you feel stretched thin, overwhelmed, or like you’ve reached your limit, God’s strength can meet you there. His mercy fills the gaps when your abilities or resources end, but your needs keep going. When you feel like you don’t have enough…or like you’re not enough…He is more than enough.

Take a moment to consider:

• Where am I trying to rely on my own abilities?
• What weight am I carrying that I need to hand over to God?
• How can I rest in His mercy and strength today?

Pause for breath, letting this prayer anchor your heart in God’s truth.

As you breathe, picture yourself calling on Him with the most pressing needs in your life. Whisper this prayer or speak it silently in your heart as you breathe:

Inhale: Jesus
Exhale: Mercy

Jesus, mercy.

As you pray, imagine God meeting you with mercy and strength in each breath, filling the places where you feel empty or overwhelmed.

You don’t have to figure it all out.

You don’t have to navigate things alone.

Partner this prayer with your breath for a few exhales, or as long as you need. His grace is sufficient, His mercy is endless, and His strength will carry you through.

Now it’s time to experience how God leads you when you’re overwhelmed or not sure which way to go. That’s where we’re going next.