The Jesus prayer

Instructions for the Jesus prayer

The Jesus prayer, also called prayer of the heart and ruminatio, is a prayer that is widespread, especially in the Orthodox Church, in which the name of Jesus Christ is invoked continuously. This is intended to satisfy the apostle Paul's request “Pray without ceasing!” (1 Thess 5:17 EU). In hesychasm and other forms of meditation in the Eastern Churches, this prayer occupies a central position, but was also propagated by St. Bernard of Claivaux. As a contemplative prayer, silent prayer or prayer of gathering, the Jesus prayer belongs to the contemplative and meditative practice of celtic church.

Its beginnings go back to the time of early Eastern monasticism. There, short quotations from the Bible, often psalm verses, were meditated, i.e. repeated over and over again, sometimes pronounced aloud, sometimes internally recited. Over time it became common to recite the name Jesus instead of quoting the Bible. The form Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me is already documented for the 6th century. The origin goes back to the blind beggar Bartimaeus from Jericho: Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me (narrated by the Synoptics, e.g. Mark 10:47).

In Russia, at the end of the 19th century, a book was created with the title Sincerely Tales of a Pilgrim, Communicated to His Spiritual Father, which was translated into many languages and thus spread the tradition of the Jesus prayer worldwide. Through this book in particular, the Jesus prayer found supporters in all Christian denominations, so that today we can already speak of an “ecumenism of the Jesus prayer".

There is no uniform prayer text. The name of Jesus is always invoked. Possible formulations are:
Lord jesus christ.
Jesus Christ.
Jesus.
Christ jesus.

After invoking the name of Jesus, a plea for mercy can follow. Possible formulations are:
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Lord Jesus Christ, (you) Son of God, have mercy on me (sinner).
Instead of asking for mercy, you can also ask for help. Possible formulations are:
Lord Jesus Christ, help me.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, help me.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, be my salvation.

Maranatha. (marana tha - Our Lord, come!)

Kyrie Eleison. (Lord have mercy)

Schalom. (Peace)

Behind the Jesus prayer there is a comprehensive spiritual path, about which a great deal has been written in monastic literature. One of the most important works is the Philokalia, a collection of works by the monk fathers. It is advisable to deal with introductory literature. The churches of all denominations offer seminars for practicing the Jesus prayer.

Description of the Jesus Prayer
Throughout the prayer time, make mind the presence of God. It's not just a meditation technique, but real prayer and communication with someone else. The Jesus prayer is said aloud a few times. Then speak quietly the words "Lord Jesus Christ" while breathing in and "have mercy on me" while breathing out. Distracting thoughts are internally referred to as "thoughts" and let go like a passing cloud without clinging to them or annoying them. Just keep coming back to prayer and the connection to the breath. When the mind has come to rest, the words can be reduced more and more until the word Jesus is only spoken quietly when breathing out and ultimately nothing is spoken at all. If the prayer has persistent problems, it should be stopped and an experienced practitioner sought out. It cannot be ruled out that in a state of calm mental health problems may become apparent that have been repressed until then and may require therapy.

The desert fathers were already aware of disturbing phenomena when praying and developed methods to deal with them. The eight-truck doctrine of Evagrius Ponticus can be used for this, in particular the explanation of Anselm Grün, "Dealing with Evil". You shouldn't be put off by the choice of title.
The British Medical Journal reported on a study by the University of Pavia which found that practicing a mantra had a positive effect on the cardiovascular system. Due to the constant rhythm of prayer, the breathing rate is reduced to about six breaths per minute. Concentration and inner peace are promoted.
The preventive medicine specialist Gerd Schnack has developed the so-called repetitive meditation training (RMT) together with the music teacher Hermann Rauhe and based on the concept of repetitive prayer formulas, including the Jesus prayer. Schnack and Rauhe write: "Five minutes of RMT have a stronger restoring effect on physical fitness than one hour of relaxation without RMT." In addition to relaxation for the body, there is also a completely new creativity for the mind.

Prayer cord and rosary for the Jesus prayer

In the Orthodox, a prayer cord is also used for the Jesus prayer. The prayer cord, Chotki in Russian and Greek Komboskini called, in its original form does not consist of pearls, but of a cord into which knots are tied, on which the Jesus prayer is performed. The closed cord stands as a symbol for the never-ending prayer (“Pray without ceasing”). It is used in the Orthodox tradition when praying for Jesus, not so much to count the prayers, but more as an aid to concentration and a steady rhythm. In the Orthodox Church, monks and nuns receive the prayer cord at their ordination.

According to Russian custom, prayer times of the Liturgy of the houror the visit to the liturgy can be replaced by the recitation of a certain number of prayers to Jesus. In this way, the Liturgy of the Hours can be kept even when the appropriate books are not available. The prayer cord helps count the prayers in such cases.

For the Anglican rosary prayer there is no fixed form. Every prayer can put together the prayers that he says on the individual pearls himself. For example, a series of prayer is known that Trisagion and the Jesus prayer includes:

The cross:

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Invitatory:

Oh god come to my aid
Lord, hurry to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as in the beginning so also now and all time and in eternity. Amen.

Cross Shaping Beads:

Holy god,
holy strong god,
holy immortal god,
have mercy on me.

Week pearls:

Lord Jesus Christ (Son of God)
have mercy on me, a sinner.