Breath, Wind, Spirit

In this quiet space people are breathing

Spending time with You.

Breathing air that has been breathed before,

Linking one with another

Previous generations, long gone,

With those who are here now,

Breathing,

And with those still to come.

Is this air one of the strands

Of creation that join us as one

That build community?

This air that gives life

That we take so for granted.

We do not think of breathing

Until there is no air

And then there is panic,

Our whole being striving

For breath, gasping, eyes wide,

Hands outstretched.

It is only air, the gift of God

That gives us life;

And not just people, but all living things

In some way take in air

For life.

Breathing, absorbing the air that surrounds us,

Breathing, inhaling, exhaling,

Whether through skin, or lungs, or membrane,

We depend on air.

It stands quiet on a still night.

It caresses skin, ruffles fur,

It provides motion, flapping sails, soaring wings,

It is quiet and it howls in a gale.

It can be warm and velvety,

Or freeze the very marrow in bones.

It can be a relief, or an enemy.

But all the time we breathe.

Spirit Wind, blow today

Blow gently into our lives,

Bringing life of a different kind.

Inflame our spirits with our breath

Fan us into flames of loving service;

Blow through us, using us as wind tunnels,

Touching lives with Your caress.

Blow us to where You will,

Fill us with the breath of life

That You give, gentle Spirit,

Equipping and empowering us to go

Where the wind takes us

And to be currents of life, flowing in the wind

Never stagnant, always moving,

Growing in Your grace,

Flowing in Your slipstream,

Following Your way.

Spirit, breath of God, blow on us today.

Gift us with air and with life

For body and soul

That we may live for You and serve You

For Your glory.

Breath of life; Air

Thank You, Abba, for this gift of grace.