New Release: Be Still and Know, Breath Praying Through
Loss
I
learned about breath prayers when I did Ascending Leader’s Listening Prayer study. Little did I know that a few years later
this prayer tool would become my survival strategy. Saying breath prayers got
me through stressful days and lonely nights after my husband went to heaven. Some
of these breath prayers have been posted on the Ascending Leaders blog. Be Still and Know, Breath Praying Through
Loss is a compilation of fifty-two breath prayers, giving you the option of
focusing on one prayer word each week for one year. Space is allowed at the end
of each devotional for you to write a personal breath prayer.
In
a breath prayer entitled Presence
(pp. 19-21) you will read:
The
ache of sorrow is very deep, but the presence of God is very real. I experience
God’s presence more vividly than ever before. Shortly before He ascended into
heaven, Jesus promised that He would be with us always (Matthew 28:20). I am
not surprised by God’s presence. However, I am amazed at the impact of His
presence as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Knowing that God
is here helps me to get out of bed in the morning and get to sleep at night.
Death
is not the only kind of sorrow one can experience in this life. Deep sorrow may
come from loss of health, relationship difficulties, loss of employment,
financial struggles, or separation from loved ones. Whatever the ache, whatever
the sorrow, holding on to the presence of God is one sure way to accept and
survive the situation. We must surrender to Him, the One who is in control of
every detail of our lives.
Moses
struggled with his God-given responsibility to lead the people of Israel out of
Egypt, where they had been enslaved for many years. He did not think he was up
to the task. He did not think the people would listen to him (Exodus 4). He
must have felt overwhelmed by the unknown path ahead. I feel a bit like Moses.
Just as he felt inadequate and resistant to God’s plan for him to deliver the
people from Egyptian slavery, I am struggling with the reality that I have
outlived my husband and I now have many new responsibilities as the surviving
spouse. I had thought my husband and I would grow old together. Now I find
myself facing a different kind of future without my soul mate. My plans have changed.
I am overwhelmed when I think of my new status—widow.
Why,
God,
I ask, have you left me to live alone? God’s response to me is the same
as His response was to Moses. In His still, small voice, He says, “I have not
left you alone. My presence goes with you.” He promises all believers that He
will be there for us, always and forever. Presence. Over and over I breathe the
word presence. God is here. I am not alone.
The
Lord replied, “My
Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” —Exodus 33:14
Fear
not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you
pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the
rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will
not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God.
—Isaiah
43:2-3a
Lord,
help me feel Your presence. When have you experienced the presence of the
Lord? Are you carrying an ache so deep and personal that you feel you are
carrying it all alone? Ask God to make you more aware of His presence.
It
is my prayer that this book will help others learn how to say breath prayers as
well as bring comfort, strength, and hope for anyone who is experiencing any
kind of loss. Be Still and Know is available
at www.westbowpress.com.
978-1-4908-0144-5 (Soft Cover ISBN)
978-1-4908-0145-2 (Hard Cover ISBN)
978-1-4908-0143-8 (E Book ISBN)
Lois R. Hoogeveen
* One of our
authors, Lois Hoogeveen, lost her husband in early March to a battle with
cancer, which began just 3 months earlier. Jim and Lois had pastored 5
churches, 2 they planted. At the time they were hit with this disease they were
transitioning into specialized transitional ministry for the next season of
their full time ministry. They were and are good friends of Ascending Leaders.
Through the journey with cancer, Jim and Lois wrote and shared their
"breath prayers," each day. "Breath Praying" is something
they had first learned seven years ago from the Ascending Leaders Christ Habits
book Prayer: Listening to God's Voice.
Since Jim's passing, Lois has been continuing to write excellent reflections on this journey along with breath prayers. She has consented to allow us to share some with you. Lois is also the core author of two of our newest workbooks: Since Jim's passing, Lois has been continuing to write excellent reflections on this journey along with breath prayers. She has consented to allow us to share some with you. Lois is also the core author of two of our newest workbooks: Your Pathways: Strong Connection with God and Thriving: Stewarding Unexpected Change.
Since Jim's passing, Lois has been continuing to write excellent reflections on this journey along with breath prayers. She has consented to allow us to share some with you. Lois is also the core author of two of our newest workbooks: Since Jim's passing, Lois has been continuing to write excellent reflections on this journey along with breath prayers. She has consented to allow us to share some with you. Lois is also the core author of two of our newest workbooks: Your Pathways: Strong Connection with God and Thriving: Stewarding Unexpected Change.
