Are you getting enough rest?
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 that will probably appear unorthodox at first.
For those who weren't around when home computers hit the market, many proponents promised that computers would reduce paperwork and daily stress. How did that work out? Today technology and AI advocates market their solutions as a way to make our lives more productive. I think it's safe to say, that in many ways technology has increased 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 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 & rest in the chaos.
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 think it's safe to say that there is no right or wrong way to pray. That is a very personal decision that we each make. 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 as I pray. 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.
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.
If you are struggling to relax, you might find it helpful to visualize yourself taking an elevator, floor by floor, to the basement while keeping you breathing shallow and in sync with your anchor word.
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.
Spend some time talking with Jesus.
If your mind wanders, refocus on the presence of 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.
If you have a specific prayer request, it's important to keep your breathing pattern consistent as your thoughts gravitate away from your anchor word toward your prayer. This might not come naturally at first, but with practice, it will.
Before I pray the prayer that's on my heart, I will sometimes focus on bible verses that are important to me, like Genesis 15:1 or Jeremiah 33:3.
When you are done praying, move your thoughts back to your anchor word while keeping your breathing shallow and in sync.
If you are not there already, refocus your mind on your "safe place" with Jesus in your presence.
Keep your breathing is in sync with your focus word.
Ask Jesus to take your prayer requests to the Father.
Spend some time here.
End with the spirit of humility and thankfulness.
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.
It's ok to experiment with variations of the steps above. It's personal and takes some patience and practice. Allow yourself to grow in this process. As you go about navigating the valleys of life with Jesus by your side, the compounding effect of your prayer life should help to strengthen your faith as you "wait" on revelation from the Lord.
As you become more adept at your prayer process, you may find yourself doing short prayer sessions throughout the day, perhaps when God brings a person from your past to mind. The key is to keep your breathing shallow and in sync with your anchor word whenever possible. I have found that these additional opportunities for short prayer in a restful state throughout the day bless me with extra energy, clarity of thought, and serenity.
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.”
How to renew your mind.
