Value of the Jesus Prayer

  • Thread starter Thread starter scapularkid8
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
S

scapularkid8

Guest
Please explain it to me and how I can use it to grow closer to Christ. I’m a Latin so I’m not too farmiliar with the theology behind the Jesus Prayer. Thank you!!
 
Glory be to Jesus Christ!

Find a quiet time and place (in front of an icon of Christ is certainly a good thing) and say it slowly and with meaning for a few minutes. As it becomes more established in your prayer life, you can increase it gradually. If you have a prayer rope, that is fine as well.

A brief introduction by a layman reflecting on the Prayer of the Heart:
svots.edu/Faculty/Albert-Rossi/Articles/Saying-the-Jesus-Prayer.html

The Way of the Pilgrim is a good book written about a man who longs to practice the Prayer of the Heart without ceasing. The Writings of the Philokalia: On Prayer of the Heart is an excellent one-volume distillation of the larger Philokalia on this as well. St. Ignaty Brianchaninov also has an introduction which can be found at orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/ignaty_jesus.aspx?print=ok
FDRLB
 
Just one thing–while WAY OF A PILGRIM is good for beginners, the Philokalia is considered to be doctoral level spirituality.

First, read lives of the saints and then the various volumes of THE LITTLE RUSSIAN PHILOKALIA, published by St. Herman’s Press, which will help you see how the original’s teachings were put into practice by great ascetics nearer to our own time and culture.
 
This is the advice I was given when I began to say the “prayer of the heart” (Jesus Prayer).

There is a simple way to use a prayer rope… It is known as the Optina 500.

Using a 100 knot rope you pray:
  1. 300 x “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.”
  2. 100 x “Most Holy Mother of God, save us.”
  3. 100 x “Holy Father (insert your patron saint’s name), pray to God for me.”
Obviously if your patron saint is a woman you would say “Holy Mother so-and-so” and not Holy Father so-and-so. As I understand, this is a pretty safe way for a beginner, don’t try the body positions or breathing techniques you may find mentioned in different writings… this is for the advanced, and should only be implemented under obedience to a Spiritual Father who is experienced in such things…
 
In fear and joy, in loneliness and companionship, it is ever with me. Not only in the silence of daily devotions, but at all times and in all places. It transforms, for me, frowns into smiles; it beautifies, as if a film had been washed off an old picture so that the colors appear clear and bright, like nature on a warm spring day after a shower. Even despair has become attenuated and repentance has achieved its purpose. Pure Acai Berry Weight Loss Diet Prograf Sugar Nick Jonas and His Warning Signs Diabetes Impotence Diet soft contact lenses When I arise in the morning, it starts me joyfully upon a new day. When I travel by air, land, or sea, it sings within my breast When I stand upon a platform and face my listeners, it beats encouragement. When I gather my children around me, it murmurs a blessing. And at the end of a weary day, when I lay me down to rest, I give my heart over to Jesus: “(Lord) into thy hands I commend my spirit”. I sleep–but my heart as it beats prays on: “JESUS.”
 
Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church choir has a nice sung version. Click on “Click here to listen to Theosis” then skip to the second track in the pop-up window.
 
The monks of Valaam also have a wonderful version in Slavonic (and have since also produced an English version as I recall).
 
Diak said:
The monks of Valaam also have a wonderful version in Slavonic (and have since also produced an English version as I recall).
Click to expand...
Sliding off topic… there seem to be a few YouTubes of their choir and monastery - I think. I don’t see the Jesus Prayer, tho I don’t know any Slavonic for those not identified in English. I thought this choir and slide show for the Beatitudes, which is identified as their choir, was lovely. Chanting the Beatitudes in the Divine Liturgy is a favorite of mine…
This also comes up for “Valaam” in YouTube. I assume it’s their choir, but can anyone tell me about the slide show, in particular the first segment with the building of the church and then around minute 2:28, is that a flood which it seems to be initially, or then maybe Theophany, not connected to flooding? It’s certainly moving to me.
 
The Jesus Prayer is an ancient prayer based on the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector. It is a prayer of humility and trust for the Mercy of God, which alone keeps us out of Hell, both in this world (state of mortal sin) and in the next world (eternal flames). It is a prayer of humility because it is in contrast to self-righteousness - the condition represented by the pharisee in the parable; by humility I mean that virtue of imitating the humbling of God, who emptied Himself of glory and took on the form of a slave. It is a prayer of trust because it is in contrast to hypocrisy - the attitude represented by the same pharisee in the same parable; by trust I mean that virtue of imitating the hope of Jesus, who said God always answered His prayers and who slept during a storm at sea. Humility and trust are necessary in every prayer, else we pray with a divided and doubting heart, but the Jesus Prayer especially asks of us humility and trust, particularly when we find ourselves at our wits’ end, God as our last and only hope, when we find that we truly are nothing but dust at His feet and He alone can save us and accomplish what we can’t.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top