"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (St. Paul's 1st Letter to the Thessalonians 5:16-18).
"The tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his home justified" (The Gospel of St. Luke 18:13-14).
If we are to pray continually, without ceasing, then what better way to pray could there be but to follow the teaching of the Master. By the continual asking for God's mercy and grace to be upon us, we are enabled to live in the continual remembrance of God.
The Jesus Prayer, as it has developed over the last 2000 years, is typically prayed in this way:
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
This is shortened by each person as it seems helpful. The point is to pray this continually and intentionally, in connection with your breathing, until your body and heart cooperate to pray it without ceasing within the deep brain, beyond superficial thought. This discipline brings a remarkable light and joy and clarity to the one who is able to make it a reality.
Here is a commentary on the Jesus Prayer taken from The Way of a Pilgrim (a 19th century Russian book translated by R.M. French, published by Harper & Brothers of New York, 1952), p. 155-156:
Here is another insightful quote from this book (BTW, you can order this from my Tool Shop page above - I highly recommend it!) to encourage those who at first think that this path of prayer is beyond their ability to attain to it. It is, of course, by your own strength. But God can take your feeble effort and multiply it like the fish and the loaves. (From P. 192):
Here is a commentary on the Jesus Prayer taken from The Way of a Pilgrim (a 19th century Russian book translated by R.M. French, published by Harper & Brothers of New York, 1952), p. 155-156:
Even the very form of the Jesus Prayer shows what a great prayer it is. It is made up of two parts. In the first, i.e., 'Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,' it leads our thoughts to the life of Jesus Christ, or, as the holy Fathers put it, it is the whole Gospel in brief. In the second part, 'Have mercy on me, a sinner,' it faces us with the story of our own helplessness and sinfulness. And it is to be noted that the desire and petition of a poor, sinful, humble soul could not be put into words more wise, more clear cut, more exact than these - 'have mercy on me.' No other form of words would be as satisfying and full as this. For instance, if one said, 'Forgive me, put away my sins, cleanse my transgressions, blot out my offences,' all that would express one petition only - asking to be set free from punishment, the fear of a faint-hearted and listless soul. But to say 'Have mercy on me' means not only the desire for pardon arising from fear, but it is the sincere cry of filial love, which puts its hope in the mercy of God and humbly acknowledges it is too weak to break its own will and to keep a watchful guard over itself. It is a cry for mercy - that is, for grace - which will show itself in the gift of strength from God, to enable us to resist temptation and overcome our sinful inclinations. It is like a penniless debtor asking his kindly creditor not only to forgive him the debt but also to pity his extreme poverty and to give him alms - that is what these profound words 'have mercy on me' express. It is like saying: "Gracious Lord, forgive me my sins and help me to put myself right; arouse in my soul a strong impulse to follow Thy bidding. Bestow Thy grace in forgiving my actual sins and in turning my heedless mind, will and heart to Thee alone."The method of this path is "to link the Name of God with one's breathing and the beating of one's heart" (P. 186). If you are one who loves Jesus, can there be a more happy thought than for His Name to be in your heart with every breath and every beat? To abide in Christ, "to be in Him means continually to feel His presence, continually to pray in His Name" (P.188-189). After all, "the whole salvation of man [and woman!] depends upon prayer" (P. 189).
Here is another insightful quote from this book (BTW, you can order this from my Tool Shop page above - I highly recommend it!) to encourage those who at first think that this path of prayer is beyond their ability to attain to it. It is, of course, by your own strength. But God can take your feeble effort and multiply it like the fish and the loaves. (From P. 192):
Christian soul, if you do not find within yourself the power to worship God in spirit and in truth, if your heart still feels no warmth and sweet satisfaction in mental and interior prayer, then bring to the sacrifice of prayer what you can, what lies within the scope of your will, what is within your power. Let the humble instrument of your lips first of all grow familiar with frequent persistent prayerful invocation. Let them call upon the mighty Name of Jesus Christ often and without interruption. This is not a great labour and is within the power of everyoneDo not fear. Set a goal and move forward. You will see fruit in your life, because the very Name of Jesus has power and healing grace.
