CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 835

“Breathe”

Psalm 39:4-13 (ESV)  O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah

Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather! … surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers…

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Take a breath.  Release it slowly.  Do it again. Pause and contemplate for a moment how long it took to take that breath and release it.  From the perspective of eternity, that is how long a life span you and I have in this body of flesh we now occupy.

Take a breath.  Let it go.  How much time do you have in this life? What then is important during such a short time?

But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. – Luke 12:20

Breathe in.  Exhale.  How much of your precious time is spent in worrying or fretting over circumstances you cannot control?  How much time is wasted on ‘what if ‘ scenarios?

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? – Matthew 6:27

Take another breath.  Relax.  Breathe out.  How much of your time is spent in consideration of God: who He is, what He has done and is doing?  How often do you consider His love for you as Abba, Father?  Do you worship Him only for a certain time period on a certain day of the week and only when you find the time to do so?  Can you worship Him with every breath you take?

Be still, and know that I am God; you keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. – Psalm 46:10; Isaiah 26:3

Breathe in and out.  Short, isn’t it?  Is serving Jesus as your Lord and Savior the focus of your heart, mind and soul during this mere breath of time you have in this life? Are you living for the temporary things of this world or for the eternal glory that is ours through Christ, Jesus?

 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many … walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ… – Philippians 3:17

Breathe.  May every breath you take bring praise and glory to God. May every breath reinforce an eternal perspective of your heavenly citizenship and life as a sojourner here on earth.

Take breath.  Exhale. Pause and reflect on the Word of God: Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!