When Prayer Becomes Air

I recently finished a book called “When Breath Becomes Air “by Paul Kalanithi.  He wrote his book while battling Stage 4 lung cancer and getting ready to complete his training as a neurosurgeon.  His story reminds me that until any of us struggle to breathe, air may not be something we are concerned about because it can exist without us noticing. 

I cried when I reached the last page of the book. He was so brave with each labored breath until he exhaled his last. For me, his book title serves as a metaphor for how I think about prayer; it is as essential as the air I breathe.

We can’t see air, but we can become aware of its presence when we pay attention to our inhale and exhale. In the same way, we can’t see Jesus, but we can feel His presence when we have faith that He exists, is ever-present, and willing to hear our prayers.

When our lungs are functioning correctly, breathing is almost imperceptible. It is an automatic response to breathe in and out. In the same way, when my faith in Jesus is strong, prayer is not something I have to make myself do because it is as instinctive as taking in air.

There are times when we struggle to catch our breath. We get bronchitis, pneumonia, or even lung cancer. It is in those times that breathing becomes painful rather than easy.

In the same way, when we struggle with emotional or mental pain, we may not know how we should pray.  There have been moments when all I could do was cry, and I had nothing to say to God. Yet, I know he heard me through my tears.

But at this stage in my life, I have more years behind me than what is ahead—even if I live to a ripe old age. Prayer has become to me as essential as air. I no longer need to remind myself to pray because I do it all the time.  I pray when I walk the trails behind my house. I pray when I fall asleep and when I wake up. I pray as soon as I hear about someone hurting or in trouble.  I keep a list of people I am praying for in my journal. I pray when I am happy, and I pray when I am sad or upset. I literally cannot stop praying!!  If you’d like me to add you to my list, please let me know. 😊

Why do I pray so much? Below are three things I know are true about prayer that motivate me to talk to God all day long.

I receive help from the Holy Spirit when I pray.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God (Romans 8:26-27 NIV).

I need help from the Holy Spirit to stay secure and strong in God’s love in a world that seems to have gone crazy.  I am greatly comforted by the Spirit taking the time to search my heart so that He can understand me and help me in my times of weakness.  How incredible is that?

Prayer keeps me watchful and thankful.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful (Colossians 4:2)

I don’t want to be unaware of the devil’s schemes. Nor do I want to become bitter. Devoting myself to prayer is a way to stay watchful and thankful.

Prayer helps those I pray for.

On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many (2 Corinthians 1:8-11).

It is hard to see so many people go through such difficult situations, so I pray on their behalf, knowing that God is constantly answering my prayers.  I may not know how God hears or uses my prayers, but I trust that He does. 

In Paul’s book, he mentions he sojourned in “ironclad atheism.”   But then says, “Yet I returned to the central values of Christianity—sacrifice, redemption, forgiveness—because I found them so compelling.”  Even Paul, a brilliant neuroscientist who was confronted with the argument against God in his field, found another kind of air to breathe, one that gives life to his soul.

So, the next time you take a breath, take a moment to thank God for the air.  And when you pray, take a moment to notice your inhale and exhale between sentences. Consider how Jesus receives your earnest requests as a fragrant offering, with the sweet aroma of your words filling the room. Then you will know when prayer becomes air.