“In peace, I will both lie down and sleep,
For you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Psalm 4:8
Have you ever noticed that just when you lay your head down to sleep at night, Stress and all his friends have a habit of barging through the doors of your mind?
Regret...
Worry...
Hopelessness...
Overwhelm...
Grief...
These anxious friends love to get us at the exact moment we are trying to get some much needed rest. And perhaps, this is never more true than during the holidays. Our minds race with all kinds of worry around this time of year.
- Forgot to buy that present for so-and-so…
-
Don’t want to buy that present for so-and-so…
- Not sure I have enough money to buy that present for so-and-so…
- How will I make it through the holiday in one piece?
- Will my family be angry that we chose to celebrate the holiday elsewhere this year?
- How am I supposed to work, buy presents, prepare Christmas dinner, send holiday cards, take care of my family, and navigate that unexpected thing that is happening in my life right now?
This is supposed to be the time of year when we find ourselves drawing close to the peace we find in God -- but truthfully, we couldn’t feel less peaceful throughout most of the holiday.
I have learned that to decorate our lives with peace takes practice. We have to engage in practices that help us come home to God, to ourselves, and to what matters most -- especially as we wait for the coming of the Light in this season.
When I am at my most anxious -- one of the spiritual practices I have adopted in order to do this is called a Breath Prayer. Breath prayers are an ancient form of prayer, and are easily adaptable. You begin by finding a quiet place by yourself, and you choose one or two lines of a scripture passage or other poignant phrase to focus on. Slowly, as you focus on your breathing, you repeat these phrases while breathing in and out. I use the two lines above.
Inhale. Fill your whole self with breath. Feel air in your lungs. And then say:
In peace, I will both lie down and sleep
Exhale slowly and fully.
For you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
And then, I simply repeat this practice. Start with ten good breaths in and out, with the words. It’s that simple. It may sound crazy, but even at my most anxious, when I choose to focus my attention on my breath and these centering words, this practice helps me find peace.
As you journey throughout this Advent season, are there moments in your day where you can give this a try? Is there a situation or worry that you feel you need to give over to God, and instead of spending so much time stressing -- can you use that time to just breathe? What would God reveal to you?
Amen.
