The Breath Before the Words

There is an old practice among the Desert Fathers and Mothers of praying with the breath itself. Not words arranged into petitions, not careful theological formulations, but something more elemental — the body's own rhythm becoming prayer. Inhale: Lord Jesus Christ. Exhale: have mercy on me. Paul writes to the Romans that "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart, you will be saved."…