Week of Prayer - ‘He breathed on them…’ (John 20:21-22)
Breathing in God’s Presence
“Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” (John 20:21–22)
The pace of life rarely slows. Our days fill quickly with commitments, conversations, and distractions. Yet in the middle of it all, God calls us to pause, to breathe, and to become aware of His presence. Spiritual practices such as prayer, reading Scripture, silence, and solitude are not meant to be heavy burdens. Instead, they are rhythms that help us breathe in God’s life and breathe out our worries, fears, and striving.
When Jesus appeared to His disciples after the resurrection, they were anxious and uncertain. Behind locked doors, they didn’t yet know what to do next. Into that atmosphere of fear, Jesus came close. He offered His peace, and then He did something deeply symbolic: He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” His very breath carried renewal, transformation, and the power they would need to live sent lives.
This is why the practices we sometimes call “disciplines” matter so much. They are not about performance or proving our devotion, but about posturing ourselves to receive from Jesus—the same Spirit-filled breath that renews and transforms. In prayer, we are drawn close. In silence, we create space for His voice. In Scripture, we are reminded of His truth. These practices are “the royal way,” the path by which God reshapes us from the inside out.
Perhaps today you could pause for a simple breath prayer. As you inhale, whisper, “Come, Holy Spirit.” As you exhale, pray, “Fill me with Your peace.” Even this small act can reset your heart and open you to God’s renewing presence.
The disciples’ fear gave way to courage as they breathed in the Spirit. Our uncertainty and busyness can also give way to peace and transformation when we allow God to meet us in the simple, daily practices of His presence.
Let’s Pray
Pray that personal spiritual practices—prayer, Scripture, silence, solitude—would become life-giving rhythms for you and others.
Ask that individuals and families would embrace spiritual disciplines as a pathway to renewal and transformation.
Pray for a deeper awareness of the Spirit’s presence in daily life.
Invite God to breathe fresh peace and courage into those who feel weary or anxious.