Rest is getting harder to find.
I recently read a book by John A. Redhead entitled, Letting God Help You. It reminded me of some of the relaxation and focus techniques I learned from my days preparing to play competitive sports like baseball and tennis. I was intrigued by the physical benefit of additional power and rest that Redhead talks about in his book and how he applies it to our prayer life.
In this post I will try to blend what I have learned from Redhead's book, and my days playing sports, into a step by step method to better connect with our Creator and to draw on His power and grace in an effort to gain more rest in a way you might not have thought about before.
Years ago, with the emergence of the home computer, I can remember many proponents saying that computers would reduce paperwork. How did that work out? Likewise, technology advocates market their solutions as a way to save time and reduce stress in our lives. I think it's safe to say, that in many ways technology has increased the stress and worry in our daily lives. One only needs to look at the fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) created on platforms like X, Reddit, Discord, Telegram, Meta, etc.
In 1957, when Redhead wrote Letting God Help You there were only 3 major TV channels in most parts of the US. There was no cable TV, no internet, no mobile phones, no instant transmission of world events in real time. Life was much simpler. Today, there are many layers to stress that cause physical, mental and emotional chaos in our lives if we don't have a release valve. The list of events causing stress is endless: crime, inflation, unemployment, currency debasement, housing prices, the cost of raising a family, living in a society that is becoming more and more godless.
Finding peace in a chaotic world.
According to Grok, stress is the body's natural response to perceived threats or demands, triggering the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. It can cause physical health issues that affect our cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, respiratory, gastrointestinal, immune, reproductive, nervous, endocrine, and metabolic systems and more. I believe this is why we find many verses in the bible that talk about rest and prayer, sometimes in the same context.
For example, "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 This is a great promise and prophecy, but what does the process of "waiting" look like? I have found that waiting in the spiritual sense is quite different from waiting for your Uber or the next bus, train, or subway to arrive.
I will be the first to say that I do not have a monopoly on the right way to pray. That is a very personal decision that we each need to make on our own. It will likely vary based on your beliefs, culture, or religion. Personally, I have found that a period of preparation before prayer is helpful. A clear and open line of communication to my Creator is important. I must consciously make room for the presence of Jesus in my prayer life. God is 100% spirit; I am not. I have to remember this so I don't get caught up in my own views on how to pray. His thoughts and ways are not mine.
In the next section I will attempt to provide a step by step prayer method that you might want to consider. This process is grounded in achieving a state of restful awareness. While in prayer, my body is in a deep state of rest or relaxation while my mind is aware and alert. I have found that I am most relaxed and prepared for prayer shortly after waking up. By starting the day with prayer, I find myself doing abbreviated restful awareness prayer sessions throughout the day that bless me with additional physical energy, clarity of thought, and serenity.
Making room for rest & power.
The prerequisites that I find helpful are to have a quiet spot, and a comfortable chair, where you won't be interrupted for at least 10 minutes. Recall a peaceful and safe place in your life that was/is very important to you. Consider it to be your place to escape to when you are being attacked navigating the valleys of life. I will be referring to this "safe place" in the steps below. You also want to select a anchor or focus word that will help you to regulate your breathing and achieve a deep state of rest. It should be a 2 syllable word like Jesus or Yahweh.
As you sit in the chair, start to relax your entire body. Don't rush.
Slowly breathe in the first syllable of your anchor word.
Slowly breathe out the second syllable of your anchor word.
Keep your breathing shallow.
Continue this breathing pattern for a few minutes.
You might find it helpful to visualize your self floating in the air if you are struggling to get to a place of rest.
You should start to feel your body entering a tranquil, restful state while your mind is still very much aware.
You may feel your thoughts start to stray. That's ok.
Start to imagine your safe place in your minds eye.
Continue your shallow breathing while keeping it in sync with your anchor word.
Spend a few minutes focused on your safe place.
Now, visualize Jesus entering your presence. Visualize Him coming to your safe place.
Slow everything down.
If your mind wanders, refocus on Jesus. He's right there with you.
Continue to relax keeping your breathing shallow while keeping it in sync with your anchor word. Breathe in on the first syllable and exhale on the second syllable.
Feel the release of any tension or stress.
You are opening up your prayer channel with Jesus. Feel His presence.
Let His presence fill every part of your body and soul.
If this is your first time employing this prayer method, you might not get past this step the first few times you try it. That's ok. It takes practice.
From this point, before I begin to pray, I will sometimes focus on bible verses that are important to me, like Genesis 15:1 or Jeremiah 33:3.
If you are led to start praying, it's important to keep your breathing in sync with your anchor word as you pray. This might not come naturally at first, but with practice, it will.
When you are done praying, if you are not there already, refocus your mind on your favorite spot with Jesus in your presence.
Keep your breathing shallow and in sync with your focus word.
Clear you mind of random thoughts.
Ask Jesus to take your prayer requests to the Father.
Spend some time here.
When you are done, slowly come out of your relaxed state of prayer. Your head and body may even be slumped down at this point. If so, slowly raise your head and start to sit up straight in your chair.
Spend a moment reflecting before raising yourself out of the chair and going about your day.
Regardless of how you pray, Oswald Chambers reminds us that when we pray, "The dominating power of the world, the flesh, and the devil is now paralyzed; not by your act, but because your act has joined you to God and tapped you in to His redemptive power."
Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
