The Meeting House / Breath Prayers / Heading to Jerusalem

For the audiovisual version of the bulletin (YouTube, about 3 minutes, read by Chase Mackintosh), click here. 

Good morning!

Right on the heels of our return from Turkey, we enjoyed four days with friends Paul and Jackie Copan. Paul Copan is a theologian and philosopher at Palm Beach Atlantic University, as well as a highly respected apologist in the Christian world. Through his books and talks—and many discussions over coffee—I’ve learned so much from Paul through the years.

The Copans have been in Europe for several months (Oxford, Paris, and other locations), and were eager to see England’s beautiful and historical Lake District. Since we live just a few miles away, we were happy for the fellowship. Some photos below.

Scroll down more this week’s offerings: a radio interview, a talk on a key New Testament passage, and a piece on breath prayers from Soul Shepherding’s Bill Gaultiere.

KEY NT PASSAGE: LUKE 9:51

Jesus' northern (Galilean) ministry completed, he heads resolutely south to Jerusalem, where he knows he will die. To throw oneself at the establishment ineluctably leads to opposition, and resolute persistence leads to death. Are we prepared to follow our Lord?

HEAR THE TALK (7 minutes—premium login required).

Solitude and silence sound refreshing but often feel challenging.
That's because these disciplines are like medicine. The Great Physician uses them to meet you and bring healing to deep places of your soul. But before his treatment takes effect, you come face to face with your sickness (Mark 2:17). Solitude is likely to be unpleasant at first as your body withdraws from the responsibilities and relationships that have been activating you. In silence, inner chatter will probably replace the stimulation of the screens and background noise that usually crowd in on you. 

Henri Nouwen describes it like this: Solitude is not a private therapeutic place. Rather, it is the place of conversion, the place where the old self dies and the new self is born… In solitude I get rid of my scaffolding: no friends to talk with, no telephone calls to make, no meetings to attend, no music to entertain, no books to distract, just me – naked, vulnerable, weak, sinful, deprived, broken – nothing… The wisdom of the desert is that the confrontation with our own frightening nothingness forces us to surrender ourselves totally and unconditionally to the Lord Jesus Christ" (The Way of the Heart, p. 27-28).

Jesus uses solitude and silence to draw up the sins, burdens, and longings you've stuffed down. He intends to restore your soul as you lay in his green pastures and next to his still water as your authentic self (Ps 23:2-3). 

Sticking with the Good Shepherd through the discomfort and distress leads to acceptance, healing, and transformation through his love and grace. But this doesn't happen automatically or formulaically. It can take time and happen throughout a longer season. 

It feels vulnerable to be stripped of false security (achievements, activity, distractions) and get in touch with your real self. You could feel empty or struggle with the reality you see. Like Jesus, you may deal with Satan's temptations and some wild animals (Matt 4:1-11). That's why it's important not to enter solitude and silence carelessly. This is especially true if this is a new spiritual discipline for you. Dallas Willard offers wise guidance: "We can only survive solitude if we cling to Christ there" (Spirit of the Disciplines, p. 161).

How can we cling to Jesus in solitude and silence as he transforms us into people of love? You probably need to do something in order to do nothing with Jesus. A simple practice like a breath prayer can help you settle into this sacred space of nothingness and find your sufficiency in Christ (Col 2:10). 

The breath prayers below are designed to help you during solitude and silence. They will help you still your body and mind and quiet yourself in God's presence. You might use them at the beginning of your time or as you find your thoughts wandering. 

"Be Still and Know" Breath Prayer (Psalm 46:10)

You can set aside all distress and distractions and simply be with Jesus. Start by sitting comfortably and doing some deep breathing. Then slowly and gently repeat this prayer by dropping a word off each time. Pause between each line to focus on the presence of Jesus with you.

"Be still and know that I am God…"
"Be still and know that I AM…"
"Be still and know…"
"Be still…"
"Be…"
Now be with your Best Friend.

”In Christ Alone" Breath Prayer (inspired by Psalm 62:1-5)

Everything you need is found in Christ's embrace. You can pause and rest (what the psalmists call a "selah") there with him through this breath prayer. Breathe slowly and deeply as you whisper or think: "In Christ Alone my soul finds rest…" Then breathe out: "Selah." Breathe in and focus on trusting Christ: "In Christ alone my soul finds rest…" Exhale and focus on letting go of everything but Jesus: "Selah…"

I pray these breath prayers help you find yourself in Jesus. You can find more in my book Breath Prayer Guides. 

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