The
Jesus Prayer
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of
God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
-- This ancient prayer is nearly as old as the church itself. Originating in the Eastern orthodox church, being very popular in Russia, the Jesus prayer can enable you to deepen your prayer life . The first website is absolutely wonderful. You'll find there much spiritual direction and great teachings from the Desert Fathers, early saints of the Church, practical suggestions, warnings, etc. This site may be just what you need to make significant spiritual progress. Keep in mind that any spiritual progress at all requires fidelity to the Sacraments and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Eucharist, as well. If you are not a catholic, you will be happy to know that many Christians (Protestants or non-Catholics) rely on the Jesus Prayer for a deep prayer life.
THE JESUS PRAYER – PART 1
THE JESUS PRAYER – PART 2
THE JESUS PRAYER – PART 3
LINK: UNDERSTANDING THE JESUS PRAYER
LINK: SAYING THE JESUS PRAYER
LINK: ORTHODOX SITE -- Be sure to check out the recommended links at the bottom of the page.
For a wonderful video about CUSTODY OF THE HEART, a practice of early Christianity, especially of the Fathers of the Desert, see these links (the talk is divided into 10 minute segments):
JESUS PRAYER – WATCHFULNESS OR WAKEFULNESS 1/6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5mUxdYB8nM&feature=related
JESUS PRAYER – WATCHFULNESS OR WAKEFULNESS 2/6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJB6Ga6CB4k
JESUS PRAYER – WATCHFULNESS OR WAKEFULNESS 3/6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAszq4-XTDg
JESUS PRAYER – WATCHFULNESS OR WAKEFULNESS 4/6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPLdI7tr-nU
JESUS PRAYER – WATCHFULNESS OR WAKEFULNESS 5/6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsLVIN-q6SM
RECOMMENDED BOOK: The Way of a Pilgrim is a classic but anonymous work of Russian spirituality (a.k.a "the Way of the Pilgrim") which has charmed countless readers with its tale of a nineteenth-century peasant seeking the truth with simple humility, finding joy in the practice of the "Jesus Prayer." This repetitive prayer, traditional in the Christian East, centers on the holy name of Jesus and enables the pilgrim to fulfill the seemingly impossible command of St. Paul in 2 Thessalonians 5:17 to "pray always."
This book is at once both entertaining and edifying. Anyone who has ever appreciated the word of Dostoevsky or Tolstoy will be delighted with the vision of 19th century Russia that emerges from this book. Yet at the same time, the very practical teaching on the Jesus prayer is very much able to be appropriated by those living a very different lifestyle in a much more hectic, even frantic age. Don't miss this classic! It should be read at least once by any serious Christian, Eastern or Western, Protestant, Catholic or Orthodox. Guaranteed to refresh you and deepen your relationship with God if you make the least attempt to put some of its simple yet profound teaching into practice.
LINK: ARTICLE: WAY OF A PILGRIM
RECOMMENDED BOOK: Prayer of the Heart, by George A. Maloney S.J.
In this comprehensive guide to Christian contemplative prayer, Fr. George Maloney, S.J. a leading exponent of the Eastern Christian spiritual tradition in the decades after Vatican II, opens up this tradition of prayer--in particular the Jesus Prayer of the Eastern Church--to Western Christians in a clear and practical manner. Unmatched as a readable and complete guide to Eastern Christian spirituality during its fifteen-year history of publication, it fills a void in the spirituality market for today's readers as well.
About the Author: Father George A. Maloney, SJ, was well-known in Roman Catholic and Russian Byzantine Rite circles for his many works on prayer and spirituality. In his life he wrote some 80 books, journal and popular articles on theology, prayer, and Eastern Christian spirituality. This new edition of Prayer of the Heart is being re-printed by Ave Maria Press after being out of print for many years. Fr Maloney died in 2005.
Review of this book - " It is truly a wonderful thing to see the re-issuing of Fr. George Maloney's classic study, Prayer of the Heart. This is a ground-breaking book whose appearance first introduced a generation of Catholic (Western) readers to the riches of the Orthodox (Eastern) spirituality of the Jesus Prayer. Its second edition will teach many more about the ancient church's tradition of Jesus-centered mysticism, and the princihttp://livingchrist.webs.com/jesusprayer.htmples of a peaceful and devoted spiritual life that can be followed not merely in the monastery, but in the day-to-day business of our hectic lives."
