January Workshop on Hope and Joy-2024

Breath as Prayer Bead Bookmark and Journal

Blank Journal – found some inexpensive at Five Below store $5 for $5, if you want to share.

Prayer Bead Supplies to Make at Home:

You can use old beads from broken jewelry or rosaries (10 or 12 beads)

Purchase a pack of colorful beads from Joann Fabrics, Hobby Lobby or Michaels.

16” string small enough to string through bead whole. Inexpensive cord can be purchased from Joann’s or Michaels too. Look for discount coupons before buying. There’s always a sale.

Cross Charm or favorite charm from broken jewelry or rosary. Tied at end of bookmark to weight it down.

Instructions:

Cut a piece of cording or string to about 16”. If your journal is long make the cord a little longer.

Ties a simple knot at the top of the string.

Lace on your 10-12 beads. I used different size beads for my fingers to feel when saying the breath prayers.

Tie a simple knot below the last bead that you strung on the cording.

Tie a charm on the end of the cord. I used a cross charm but any motif type charm or a few more beads at end of string to weigh down the bookmark.

In the journal – weekly or daily – your choice.

Date the journal page you’re writing on.

Write your Breath Prayer at the top of the page. I started using ink for the breath prayers. When I used colored pencils, I could not see the writing to clearly.

Take beaded bookmark out of journal and meditate on your Breath Prayer for 3 to 5 minutes. Hold on to one bead at a time for a prayer. Move to the next bead when you repeat the prayer. Beads will help you stay focused on prayer if you move back and forth on the beads until you are done praying. Deep breaths in and out slowly.

When done praying, either write or draw hopeful or joyful experiences you had the past week. Sometimes it can be difficult to come up with a positive moment. One week it might just be the dog licked my face.

You do not have to be a wonderful artist to draw. I draw great stick people with smiley faces and curly hair. Pretty easy. 

Breath as Prayer

Breath Prayer – breathe in 5 seconds 1st half of prayer hold (/) exhale 2nd half of prayer. 3-5 minutes.

Meditating and moving from one bead to another for up to 5 minutes, calms the mind, is healing and keeps you focused on your prayer with the Lord, Jesus Christ.

When praying is complete, focus your weekly/journaling on a hopeful or joyful moment, even during difficult times.

Resources: Breath as Prayer – Jennifer Tucker – Thomas Nelson Press

God’s Words of Life for Women (NIV) 2000 Zondervan

They do make a Men’s and Grandparents edition of this book too.

[See below for a short devotional to begin focusing your mind.]

Here are some short verses. Any favorite prayers from your Bible can be turned into a Breath Prayer. 

Acts 2:28-You have made known to me the paths of life/ I am filled with joy in your presence.

Psalm 16:9 – So I rejoice and am glad/ even my body has hope.

Philippians 4:4 – I’m full of joy in the lord always/ I will say again, I’m full of joy.

Psalm 108:4 – My unfailing love/is higher than the heavens/my faithfulness/ reaches to the clouds

Psalm 107:29 – He stilled the storm/and calmed the waves.

Psalm 116:7 – Let my soul be at rest/because the Lord takes care of me.

Psalm 40: 2 – He stood on a rock/and made my feet steady.

Psalm 40:4 – Happy is the person/who trusts the Lord.

Jeremiah 29:11 – I trust the plans you have for me/you give me hope and a future.

Matthew 11:28 – I give you/my burdens/and you give me/ rest.

Romans 15:13 – God of hope/I trust you/fill me with joy/and peace.

Prayer/Mantra for Joy, Happiness and God’s protection

Psalm 5:11-12, Psalm 16:9,8,9

But let everyone who trusts you be happy; let them sing glad songs forever. Protect those who love you and who are happy because of you. Lord, you bless those who do what is right; you protect like a soldier’s shield. So, rejoice and am glad. Even my body has hope. I keep the Lord before me always. Because he is close by my side, I will not be hurt. So, I rejoice and am glad. Even my body has hope.