The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us. – Romans 8:26

Have you ever told someone, or had them tell you, “Just breathe?” In moments of great tension or anxiety, when life seems out of control, concentrating on slowly breathing in and out helps calm the nervous system and mind. Prayer is similar to that type of breath in the spirit of a Christ-follower. As your body exhales, toxic chemicals are removed, making room for that which is life-giving and necessary. As you exhale prayer, you confess and repent of sin and invite God into your circumstances. When you inhale, you take in oxygen, which enriches your blood and fuels organs to sustain life. Inhaling in prayer, the Holy Spirit fills you with the revelation of God’s love and moves you forward in His will.

When someone is physically congested, say from a chest cold or bronchitis, it can be very difficult to take a deep breath. At times in your faith journey, the cares of this world may cause “congestion” in your soul and spirit, and you may stop praying.  When your body is ill, you trust a good physician. If you are having trouble praying, you need to trust the Holy Spirit. In both cases, the important thing is to show up and put yourself in the hands of the Healer. 

Today’s complicated world might make one wonder specifically what to pray, but a simple prayer is like an oxygen mask – it will preserve life, even if it appears uninflated. Ask God to bless the United States with spiritual health and national healing. Trust that He knows specifically what that entails. And remember, for your own spiritual health, just breathe a prayer.