The Breath of Life
After nine months of waiting and eager anticipation, your labor begins. Fighting through pain, discomfort, and exhaustion, you finally push the baby through the birth canal. Relief washes over you as you inhale and wait…
The baby cries.
You exhale…grateful and relieved. Your child has passed its first test. It has taken The Breath is Life.
Breath in Scripture
Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. – Genesis 2:7
For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. – Job 33:4
Again, he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” – John 20:21-22
All scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. – 2 Timothy 3:16
Breath’s Meaning
The Greek word ‘theopneustos’ literally means “God breathed”.
God breathes life into humanity in Genesis.
Breath is necessary to form words to speak.
God breathes life into Scripture –making it living and active.
The Holy Spirit (Pneuma in Greek) comes from the same root word.
Consequently, when God breathes, He not only brings life—He sustains it. His breath fills our lungs. His Word fills our minds. And His Spirit fills our hearts.
The Breath of Life in Prayer
Research confirms that deep breathing helps calm our parasympathetic nervous system and reduces anxiety. However, spiritually, our breath can become an act of worship—an offering back to the One who gives us the Breath of Life.
Try using Scripture as you breathe. Here’s one using Acts 17:25b:
Inhale: You give life and breath to everything.
Exhale: You satisfy my every need.
May the Breath of Life steady your heart and fill you with God’s peace today!
Prayer:
Dear God, as I breathe in and breathe out, I offer the following song to you in prayer. Amen. https://youtu.be/8nbMfLQd2P4?si=S8Ffd1tAJQ71qGZx
Questions to Consider:
- Consciously think about your breathing. How would you describe it– shallow, deep, restricted, free flowing?
- Which Scripture above speaks most to you today?
- How can you use your breath to praise and worship God?
