“In (God) we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17; 28a

In crisis moments such as now, with this
world-wide pandemic, it’s easy to think of God as being “somewhere out there”, observing us but not necessarily involved, or engaged in our lives, especially when we are “in control”, and even more especially, when we are “not in control”.  When we’re in a such a vulnerable state, we may even be tempted to think, “God doesn’t care.” This is the farthest thing from the truth!
  
If there is distance in our relationship with God, at any time, especially in tough times, it’s us who have created the distance.  God is closer to us than our families and friends, (where two or three are gathered in my Name (Mt. 18;20). God is even closer to us than our very selves. (Be still and know that I am God…Psalm 46; 10). God is as close as we allow him to be. The Gospel reading for the fifth Sunday of Lent affirms what God thinks and feels about us especially when we are suffering: Jn. 11; 3 “Lord, the one whom you love is ill.”; Jn. 11; 35 “And Jesus wept.” Our gracious God is especially close, loving us through all pain and loss.
 
God is closer to us than even the air we breathe!  If this is so, why not try a “Breath-Prayer”:      

1. Find a spot to sit quietly, comfortably and relaxed. Close your eyes if you like.
2. Consciously, slowly, breathe more deeply for a short period of time. Feel your whole body begin to relax.
3. As you breathe in deeply, inhale the love of God, who is always breathing us into life.
4. As you exhale, let worries and concerns, be drawn into the heart of God who loves you.
5. Use a word, phrase or name that rises spontaneously from within your heart which represents the fullness of God who always loves you.
6. Repeat this word or phrase within yourself in harmony with your breathing.
7. When your “Breath Prayer” time seems to be complete, thank God who loves you and always wants to be near you in every circumstance of your life.