by Hannah Brenchner

On the days when I get really fearful, I say a tiny prayer.

It’s called a breath prayer.

During a series my pastor in Connecticut taught on the Beatitudes, he taught us how to say breath prayers—short, gritty prayers that get right to the point. You can say them anywhere and in any posture. You simply pick a sentence, something that looks like a prayer, and repeat it under your breath over and over again, as the song of your heart, a battle refrain.

Not long after, the breath prayer makes a little space in your heart and stays there.

I love the idea of breath prayers. There are plenty of times when I can’t find the words or don’t have the energy to get on my knees and pray. There are even times when I feel like my prayers aren’t good enough, as if God won’t meet me in my mess. There are days when I feel like every word that comes out of my mouth is fake or forced. Breath prayers help me bridge the gap between praying sometimes and praying without ceasing.

My breath prayer for when fear tries to take back the lead role is simple: Reduce me to love.

I can’t take credit for making this prayer up. I heard it one morning as I prayed with a group of volunteers at my church. I had signed up to work at a conference for worship leaders who came from all over the country to rest, refuel, and get inspired.

Before the doors open on the second morning, our group huddles close and links arms. The woman in the center begins to pray. At one point, she says it. “Reduce me to love. God, reduce me to love.”“Reduce me to love. God...READ MORE