Breath in, Breath out…

As we draw closer and closer to the Lord, our relationship with Him should become as natural as the physical phenomena of breathing. 

He not only breathes His Spirit and life into us (John 20:22), but prayer is the very breath of our soul, breathing our desires and needs back to Him. 

I like to compare this with the mechanics of breathing:

Breathing consists of two phases,  inspiration and expiration.  During inspiration,  the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles contract. The diaphragm moves downwards increasing the volume of the thoracic (chest) cavity, and the intercostal muscles pull the ribs up expanding the rib cage and further increasing this volume. This increase of volume lowers the air pressure in the alveoli to below atmospheric pressure. Because air always flows from a region of high pressure to a region of lower pressure, it rushes in through the respiratory tract and into the alveoli.  This is called negative pressure breathing,  changing the pressure inside the lungs relative to the pressure of the outside atmosphere.  In contrast to inspiration, during expiration the diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax.  This returns the thoracic cavity to it's original volume, increasing the air pressure in the lungs, and forcing the air out.

Just as we cannot live without air, we cannot live without prayer. It’s not an optional amenity that we grab when needed in an emergency, it is the vital force that gives life and vigor to our spiritual walk, and it’s the secret of our spiritual power. We are told:

“No other means of grace can be substituted, and the health of the soul be preserved. Prayer brings the heart into immediate contact with the Well-spring of life, and strengthens the sinew and muscle of the religious experience. Neglect the exercise of prayer, or engage in prayer spasmodically, now and then, as seems convenient, and you loose your hold on God.” Gospel Workers, p. 254

Are you breathing today??