Consider that the Hebrew word (OT) for “spirit” is “ruach,” which can mean “spirit,” “wind,” and “breath.” The Greek word (NT) for “spirit” is “pneuma”, which can also mean “wind” or “breath.” This is why “wind” is a Biblical symbol of the Holy Spirit, and the scripture underscores that God’s breath gives life to all people (cf. Acts 17.25; Gen.2.7; Job 33.4, etc). Like wind, God’s Spirit is invisible, powerful, and creates measurable effect.

Now, just for a moment, think about how this little linguistics lesson heightens your imagination of God, of prayer, and of being filled with the Spirit. If we take the biblical writers at their word, then every breath is an opportunity to be filled anew with God’s Spirit.

Did the biblical writers really mean all this?

Yes. 

Prayer is like breathing—the more we pray, the more oxygenated we become. Prayer is a continuous conversation, and in the same way we can’t go without oxygen for more than a few minutes, we cannot persist without prayer.