Breathe Togetherنموونە

Introduction

Breathe. . . Because I AM

In this season of uncertainty, one thing is certain. Jesus is alive and the only answer for our time. His death and resurrection prove he was who he said he was and that everything he said was true. Through the power of his Spirit, Jesus is with us. He is our help and our hope. Whatever concerns we may have or circumstances we may find ourselves in, Jesus invites us to come to him, breathe, and embrace his words: I AM.

As we enter into this week of prayer, each day focuses on one of Jesus’ I AM statements with reflection questions to draw us closer to Jesus and listen to what he may being saying to us about who he is, who we are, and how he is inviting us to respond to his nudging.

A guided breath prayer is included to provide sacred space for us to be still with Jesus around each day’s I AM prayer.

May you meet Jesus in a special way this week.

I Am the Bread of Life

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35, NRSVUE).

Who doesn’t appreciate the smell, taste, and texture of warm, fresh bread from the oven? Bread is the embodiment of nourishment. In all its forms, bread is the most widely consumed food in the world. Historical research suggests bread has been part of the human diet for at least 30,000 years! In the Bible, bread is mentioned more than 400 times. So when Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life,” his listeners took notice.

Not long after Jesus fed 5,000 people (John 6:1-14), the crowd was hungry for more. Yet they weren’t hungry for what Jesus was really offering—they just wanted more bread. Jesus came to feed our deepest hunger, our soul’s hunger for eternal connection with God.

But there’s more. We also hunger for love, purpose, safety, and protection. We hunger to be known, for joy and peace—the list goes on. We often experience deeper longings and hunger that we may not even be aware of. While we naturally seek to satisfy our hunger, we may discover that a deeper hunger, a desire for something more, persists.

Just as physical bread satisfies our physical hunger, Jesus longs to satisfy the deepest hungers of our hearts. Jesus’ gift of eternal life through faith is vast and deep, and it’s about more than going to heaven. He longs to satisfy and nourish every dimension of our lives.

He said he came that we might have abundant life, which touches every aspect of life in soul-satisfying fulfillment. When we are hungry for more, we sometimes look everywhere but to our true Source for nourishment and fulfillment. But Jesus reminds us, “I am the bread of life.”

For Reflection

1. Do you have areas in your life where you feel unsatisfied?
2. How might drawing closer to Jesus satisfy your hunger?

About Breath Prayers

Nothing is more refreshing than a deep breath to refresh and calm the body, mind, and spirit. When prayer is added to this practice, we create a holy moment where we can become aware of how close God is to us.

Followers of Christ have been saying breath prayers for centuries. These prayers turn our hearts and minds toward God, allowing him to restore our souls in a moment of meditation or petition.

To practice breath prayer, breathe in as you whisper the first part of a phrase or verse (or silently say it in your head), then breathe out as you whisper the rest of the phrase or verse.

For example:

• Speak, Lord (inhale) ... your servant is listening (exhale).
• Jesus Son of God (inhale) ... have mercy on me (exhale).
• I am anxious (inhale) ... but my trust is in you (exhale).

Breath Prayer

Jesus, Bread of my life // You alone nourish and fulfill me

• Center your body and mind to be with Jesus.
• Name in one word something you hunger for.
• Slowly inhale, “Jesus, Bread of my life.”
• Slowly exhale, “You alone nourish and fulfill me.”
• Repeat the breath prayer until you feel Jesus’ peace.
• Look and listen for Jesus to share ways he satisfies your hunger today.