Weekly Breath Prayers: July 2026

Every Sunday, we begin our worship services with a simple breath prayer from Milford First's lay leader to guide us through the week. Below are this month’s breath prayers along with weekly reflections from Deb Johnson. We hope these prayers are meaningful tools for your spiritual life and journey!

Sunday, July 5, 2026

“We pray fiercely for those who choose to serve."

"Thank you for your service." ...A sentence often said here in the United States

but how sincerely is it offered? The same sentence offered with deep gratitude

can sound completely different..."Thank YOU for YOUR service! We are so

grateful for all you do!" We as Methodists need to exude love and gratitude to all

as a means to testify in our Father's name.

Pastor Kenneth challenged us last Sunday to do more than attend - to take on

service as well. But even if you think you don't have the ability to serve, you

ALWAYS have the ability to pray...and to pray fiercely for those that do! Perhaps

even challenging yourself to raise up this breath prayer at least 5 times every day

this week! It may open your eyes to those serving around you!

When we pause, think of those who truly give of themselves and then pray for

them, it opens our heart even wider as well. Do you purposely go out to greet

your mailman or delivery person? Pause and look your server in the eye during a

meal and ask them how they are doing? Thank a receptionist as you wait for an

appointment? Add "I appreciate you and what you do" to the end of a thank

you...we have to be the initiators of kindness and gratitude.

Sunday, July 12, 2026

“Lord, we desire to be witnesses for you!"

Most of us don't struggle to talk about the things we love. We recommend

restaurants, celebrate our favorite teams, and share exciting news with friends.

Yet when it comes to talking about Jesus, we often hesitate. We worry we'll say

the wrong thing, offend someone, or simply not know what to say. So today, let's

begin with prayer.

Our world is longing for hope. People are searching for purpose, belonging, and

good news that can actually change their lives. God has entrusted us with that

Good News—not to keep it to ourselves, but to share it with gentleness,

authenticity, and love. Sometimes the greatest witness isn't a sermon; it's a

conversation, an invitation, or a story of what Jesus has done in your life.

As you go into this week, don't worry about having all the answers. Simply ask

God for the courage to take the next faithful step. Be attentive to the people God

places in your path. Take a deep breath, pray this simple prayer, and trust the

Holy Spirit to do what only the Holy Spirit can do.

Sunday, July 19, 2026

“Oh Lord."

Many of you heard Selah's rendition of the hymn, "Be Thou Near to Me" in the

Friday Five. These aren't words of panic or resignation. They are words of

relationship. They are an invitation to pause, to become still, and to remember

the One who is already present.

Before we ask God for anything, we simply draw near. We quiet our hearts. We

release our distractions. We open ourselves to the presence of Christ, trusting

that the One who knows us completely also loves us completely.

This week, whenever life feels hurried, joyful, uncertain, or overwhelming, let

this simple prayer become the rhythm of your soul—not, "Oh, Lord..." in

exasperation, but "Oh, Lord..." in trust, wonder, and love.

Sunday, July 26, 2026

“May the love between us be strong."

Every Sunday, we conclude worship with a shared blessing. Because familiar

words can sometimes become words we simply recite, we've been slowing

down each phrase through these breath prayers, allowing God to speak through

them in fresh ways.

Last week we prayed, "Oh, Lord," opening our hearts to God's presence. This

week we pray, "May the love between us be strong." Strong love doesn't

disappear when life gets difficult. It shows up. It listens. It sends the text, makes

the phone call, writes the note, sits quietly beside someone in pain, and reminds

them they don't have to walk alone.

Strong love also chooses grace. It forgives when forgiveness is hard. It offers

patience when tempers flare. It seeks understanding before judgment and

reconciliation before resentment. It remembers that every person we meet is

someone deeply loved by God.

As you carry this breath prayer into the week ahead, ask God to help you see

every person through the eyes of Christ—including yourself. May your words

build up. May your presence bring peace. And may the love between us become

one of the clearest ways the world encounters the love of Jesus.