“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (NLT)
The Bible makes it very clear how I should be praying. It tells me to “pray all the time” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 MSG).
That probably seems impossible to a lot of people. Many people find it hard enough to remember to pray at set times during the day, like at meals or at bedtime or during a consistent quiet time.
How is it possible to pray all the time? One way is to use “breath prayers” throughout the day, as many Christians have done for centuries. I choose a brief sentence or a simple phrase that can be repeated to Jesus in one breath: “You are with me.” “I receive your grace.” “I’m depending on you.” “I want to know you.” “I belong to you.” “Help me trust you.”
I can also use a short phrase of Scripture: “For me, to live is Christ.” “You will never leave me.” “You are my God.”
Pray it as often as possible so it is rooted deep in my heart. Just be sure that I'm motivated to honor God, not trying to manipulate him into doing my own bidding. Breath prayers can lead me into a deeper sense of God’s presence and care, if I let them.
Practicing drawing near to God is a skill; it’s a habit I can develop. Just as musicians practice scales every day to play beautiful music with ease, I can learn how to think about God at different times in my day. I can train my mind to remember God.
At first I will need to create reminders to regularly bring my thoughts back to the awareness that God is with me in that moment. Begin by placing visual reminders around me. I could post little notes that say, “God is with me and for me!”
If I am seeking an experience of his presence through all of this, I'll have missed the point. I don’t praise God to feel good but to do good. My goal is not a feeling but a continual awareness that God is always present.
That is the lifestyle of worship through prayer. That is how I can pray all the time.
In summary:
Galatians 2:20 emphasizes that living a life of continual prayer is possible by cultivating constant awareness of God’s presence. Rather than limiting prayer to specific times, I can connect with God throughout the day through short “breath prayers”—simple phrases like “You are with me” or “Help me trust you.” These small acts keep my heart aligned with Him and deepen my relationship over time. Like practicing a skill, developing this habit requires intentional reminders and consistent effort. The goal isn’t emotional experience but a lifestyle of worship—living each moment with the awareness that Christ lives in me, guiding my thoughts, actions, and trust.
Bottom line:
Living in constant awareness of God’s presence transforms ordinary moments into worship. Prayer isn’t confined to set times—it’s an ongoing relationship where every breath becomes an opportunity to trust, connect with, and depend on Christ.
Next step:
Practice presence through simplicity — choose one short “breath prayer” (like “I trust You” or “You are with me”) and repeat it throughout your day. Let it draw my focus back to God in ordinary moments, helping me stay grounded, peaceful, and purpose-driven no matter what comes my way.
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