Contemplative Prayer Stations

This contemplative prayer station uses a spiritual discipline that has been practiced for centuries by our church mothers and fathers, using our breath to help us focus and meditate on God.
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Directions for Leadership:
Breath Prayer is a form of prayer that has been practiced for centuries in the Christian community. Please Google “breath Prayer” for more information.
Set up: Make a space comfortable for praying and then place the quotes and directions all over so that people do not have to move around much in order to read it all.
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Prayer Station Directions and Quotes to place around the area:
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To silence the mind is an extremely difficult task. How hard it is to keep the mind from thinking, thinking, thinking, forever thinking, forever producing thoughts in a never ending stream. The “breath prayer” is a way to focus on one thought, one image, one phrase or sentence or word that in turn fastens us on God.
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This contemplative prayer form can be used not only in our daily routine and prayer life, but also during times of anxiety, fear, distress, frustration, during surgery or times of illness. The breath prayer can be said comfortably, strengthening us to keep our focus on God in a regenerated spirit.
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The Breath Prayer comes from the Hebrew word ruach, which is translated “wind,” “breath,” or “spirit.” This form of prayer comes easily and naturally as breathing, and reminds us that the ruach of God is breathed into all living beings.
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Said one traveler to another:
“I have come a great distance to listen to the words of the Teacher, but I find his words quite ordinary.”
“Don’t listen to his words. Listen to his message.”
“How does one do that?”
“Take hold of a sentence that he says. Shake it well till all the words drop off. What is left will set your heart on fire.”
-Anthony deMello
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Directions:

Get into a posture for praying – this can be on your knees, sitting, standing or whatever works for you.
Slow your breathing and think about the rhythm of your breath.
Ask God to calm your mind and heart.
Repeat silently this prayer in what ever rhythm is most comfortable with your breathing:
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Continue repeating this prayer with every breath for 3 to 5 minutes… ish.
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FYI: There are many other verses that can be used for this type of Prayer. One of my favorites. Psalms - “Your gentleness makes me great.”