What is the Jesus Prayer format?

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snowpea

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I have seen many versions, what is the authentic one if there is one?

I have been using “Jesus Christ have mercy on me, a sinner”

Have heard that ‘a miserable sinner’ at the end is another one (franny an zooey) or Jesus have mercy on me without the sinner part

I think the sinner should be in the prayer but I am not sure 🤷

don’t want to go with what feels best or the most comfortable to me.

-would rather stick with tradition, working with what I ‘feel is best for me’ seems to smack of pride.

Thank you
 
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner”

“Just as it is impossible to fight battles without weapons, or to swim a great sea with clothes on, or to live without breathing, so without humility and the constant prayer to Christ, it is impossible to master the art of inward spiritual warfare or to set about it and pursue it skillfully.” Saint Hesychios
 
Do you mean the Fatima prayer?

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.
 
There is one format of the Jesus prayer: repeating it constantly as often as you are possible as a form of non-discursive prayer or meditation, with the goal of eventually reaching unconscious repetition (“prayer of the heart”) or, using it according to the principles of Eastern Orthodox practice, to achieve the vision of the "uncreated light/energies of God"through hesychasm (“silence” or “stillness”).

As to the words used, the Way of a Pilgrim and the Philokalia mention several, and many are acceptable to be used: the most simple is simply the name “Jesus” repeated. Also used are “Kurie eleison” (Lord, have mercy), “Jesus [Christ] have mercy”, “[Lord] Jesus [Christ], have mercy”, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me”, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, the sinner”, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner”, or “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner”, and slight variations on those (definite article for indefinite, etc.). I believe it’s mainly a matter of personal preference. I like the longer (bolded) one, and it is the one I learned as an Orthodox.

Some people (according to what I’ve read on the internet forums) prefer “Lord have mercy” or “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy”, as they feel “the sinner” is selfish, and that “Lord have mercy” is more expansive, as one prays for mercy of God on everyone using it. I have not seen this distinction made in the Philokalia, but I have not read much of it. (I have read none of it that post-dates the consummation of the schism [late dating, 1453, not the pious legend of 1054], i.e. most of the last three volumes.)

PS To above poster, I believe he’s talking about the mainly Eastern practice that is commonly known as the “Jesus prayer” and is the cornerstone of the Eastern Orthodox hesychastic practice, but can also be used as a general prayer, and incorporated in to Catholic spirituality and Western spirituality without the differentiation of God’s “essence” and “energies” necessary for the actualization of the hesychastic mode of use or its teleology (the vision of the “uncreated energies”).
 
As Khalid said, variants abound, of course, with the most popular formula “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner” being the most common.

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me” is more common in Greece. While in Mount Athos there is a more simpler variant “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.”

The simplest possible variant of course is “Lord have mercy” or just “Jesus.”

In the end, it is more important to maintain the prayer life. Use one variant that you feel comfortable.
 
There are actually many forms of the Jesus Prayer. No one form is considered the correct form. According to the author who wrote under the pseudonym “A Monk of the Eastern Church,” Fr. Lev Gillet, the essential element of the Jesus Prayer is simply the repetition of the Holy Name.

The Fathers of the Church themselves suggest many versions ranging from “Lord, have mercy,” to “God come to my assistance, Lord make hast to help me,” etc., etc., etc.

Fr. Lev Gillet says that the simply repetition of the name “Jesus” is itself the most powerful form of the Jesus Prayer because it concentrates completely on the Holy Name. “Lord Jesus” and “Lord Jesus Christ” are also perfectly acceptable.

Great Russian fathers, such as St. Theophan the Recluse and St. Igantius Brianchaninov, suggest that to be too attached to the form of the prayer boarders on superstition. What is important, according to them, is not the form of the Jesus Prayer, but simply the humble repetition of the Holy Name, calling upon God and standing before Him with the mind in the heart. They suggest that whatever form we feel helps us best accomplish this goal is the form that we should stick with.

Currently there seem to be three forms that are most common: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner,” “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me,” “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.” The oldest is believed to be the second form. One variation sometimes used is “Lord Jesus Christ, through the intercession of the Theotokos (Mother of God), have mercy on me…”

The fathers suggest that we use different forms of the prayer according to whatever situation we are in at the time. St. Seraphim of Sarov suggested that when we are out in public or busy with work, we ought to simply repeat “Lord, have mercy,” whereas when we are in a place of quiet and/or solitude we can adopt one of the longer versions of the Jesus Prayer. When I sit down to pray I like to use the older version, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.” But when I’m moving around my apartment doing chores, taking care of the kids, grocery shopping, or whatever, I like to use the shorter version “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me,” or simply “Jesus.”

There is great room for freedom here. It’s not like the Western Rosary where there is one form and we have to stick to it. The point of the Jesus Prayer, as I said above, is to call upon the Lord in humility, with the mind in the heart. All the fathers agree that whatever prayer best helps us to put our mind in our heart is the best prayer for us to use. In fact, there was recently a film done on the Jesus Prayer where a professor and a priest went around various monasteries all throughout Eastern Europe and talked to modern elders about the Jesus Prayer. I distinctly remember one of them saying that the form of the prayer doesn’t matter. The essential element is the Holy Name, from which the rest of the prayer draws its power. So whether we say “Jesus” or the long version “Lord Jesus Christ…” doesn’t really matter, so long as we are “standing in attention with the mind in the heart.”

Oh, and if you need a prayer rope, contact me. I make and sell them. 😛
 
Alfonsus said:
As Khalid said, variants abound, of course, with the most popular formula “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner” being the most common.

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me” is more common in Greece. While in Mount Athos there is a more simpler variant “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.”

The simplest possible variant of course is “Lord have mercy” or just “Jesus.”

In the end, it is more important to maintain the prayer life. Use one variant that you feel comfortable.
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👍 Excellent post!
 
I would also suggest that you’d get more responses to this question over on the Eastern Catholic’s forum because the Jesus Prayer is considered an essential element of the Eastern tradition. 👍
 
I don’t mean to over load you but here’s another Jesus prayer …from Jesus himself.

In his conversation with St Faustina, the source of the Divine Mercy devotion Jesus said to say this…

…"O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You."

Here I say that every day and I forget to mention it this morning to you. Somewhere I read that Jesus himself said that was his favorite prayer in his conversations with St Faustina.

Now the Fatima prayer is from the BVM herself at the 3rd apparition.
 
The Jesus prayer can be prayed as part of a larger prayer “Rule.” The Rule of St. Pachomius is one such rule, which uses the Jesus Prayer in a manner similar to the way in which the Rosary uses the Hail Mary.

But to say that the rosary is simlar to the Rule of St. Pachomius is to do both an incredible injustice. They are very different, other than the fact that they are both are typically prayed on beads or ropes.

The Rule of St. Pachomius uses a 50 knot rope known as a Chotki. Pictures of a russian style Chotki are at forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=596612&highlight=prayer+rope. Pictured is the wonderful work of Phillip Rolfes who previously posted on this thread. I am the proud owner of one of his Chotki’s as well as a traditional Latin style rosary rope.

The rule of St. Pachomius can be downloaded from timhollingworth.webs.com/docs/catholic/HowtoPraytheRuleofStPachomius.pdf

I find it to be very soothing and calming when faced with strong temptation. It is an effective weapon against the enemy, as is the Jesus prayer itself. Again, however, it is very different from the rosary, but I recommend that everyone try it.

The Rule is a wonderful eastern practice which I have added to my Roman Catholic spirituality.

-Tim-
 
(+) = make the sign of the cross

The Rule of St. Pachomius

God be merciful to me a sinner. (+) (x3)

Heavenly King, Comforter, spirit of truth, Who are everywhere present and fill all things, treasury of blessings, and give of life, come and dwell within us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, O gracious One.

Holy God, (+) holy and mighty, holy and immortal have mercy on us. (x3)

Glory be to the Father, (+) and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen

Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse us of our sins; Master, forgive our transgressions; come to us, Holy One, and heal our infirmities for Your Name’s sake.

Lord have mercy. (x3)

Glory be to the Father, (+) and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.

Our Father…

(+) Come, let us adore our King and God.
(+) Come, let us adore Christ, our King and our God.
(+) Come, let us adore and bow down to Christ our King and our God.

Psalm 50, Prayer of Repentance
Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. In your compassion blot out my offense.
O wash me more and more from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin.
My offenses truly I know them; my sin is always before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned; what is evil in your sight I have done.
That you may be justified when you give sentence and be without reproach when you judge.
O see, in guilt I was born, a sinner was I conceived.
Indeed you love truth in the heart; then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom.
O purify me, then I shall be clean; O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear rejoicing and gladness, that the bones you have crushed may thrill.
From my sins turn away your face and blot out all my guilt.
A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence, nor deprive me of your holy spirit.
Give me again the joy of your help; with a spirit of fervor sustain me,
that I may teach transgressors your ways and sinners may return to you.
O rescue me, God, my helper, and my tongue shall ring out your goodness.
O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise.
For in sacrifice you take no delight, burnt offering from me you would refuse,
My sacrifice, a contrite spirit. A humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.
In your goodness, show favor to Zion: rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with lawful sacrifice, burnt offerings wholly consumed, then you will
be offered young bulls on your altar.

Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
Maker of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,
begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father (and the Son).
With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner. (x100 using the chotki to keep count)
If prayer rope has divider beads “Most Holy Theotokos, save us!” at each bead.

It is truly proper to glorify you, O Theotokos, the Ever-blessed, Immaculate, and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who, a virgin, gave birth to God the Word, you, truly the Mother of God, we magnify.

Glory be to the Father, (+) and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

Lord, have mercy. (x3)

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.

Amen.

-Tim-
 
On one of our parish missions (about 20 years ago), (I forget the order that the priest belonged to) we were taught the “Jesus Prayer”. It was taught to us as a simple little prayer to say throughout the day. The longer version was “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner”. Butt we could begin by simply praying “Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner”. A few years later, I came across a cassette recording that was apparently recorded in an orthodox church. The recording itself is not professionally done, background noises have not been filtered out, and yet the beautiful singing voice of the priest chanting the Jesus prayer echos off the wall of the church is so beautiful. It seems to be as Khalid described. As I recall, the chant begins with men in the backgroung chanting a sylable like “Olmmmm” Then the priest begins slowing chanting a simple phrase, then eventually increases the words or phrases in chant. Something like this
"Lord…have mercy…on me----------a sinner.
"Lord…Jesus Christ…have mercy…on me…a sinner
"Lord…Jesus Christ…Son of God…have mercy…on me…a sinner
It is a very beautiful way of meditating on the mercy of God through Jesus, our Lord and Savior. I recall him saying that they begin by placing an icon of Jesus to look upon.
 
BTW - I recently saw (on Easter Sunday) a documentary on PBS entitled “Mysteries of the Jesus Prayer”. While it was more a recreation of an ancient pilgrimage to various monastic sites as opposed to a formal examination of the Jesus Prayer, I and my Catechism / Eastern Christian Formation class (all 7th grade boys), with whom I viewed it last week, found it informative and engaging. I would recommend it to those interested in the Jesus Prayer and its foundation in monasticism, which certainly comes through loud and clear in the documentary.

The makers of the video have a website that provides further information: Mysteries of the Jesus Prayer. One of the two pilgrims in the video is an Orthodox priest who was monastically trained and is currently a professor at Columbia University.
 
ByzCathCantor said:
BTW - I recently saw (on Easter Sunday) a documentary on PBS entitled “Mysteries of the Jesus Prayer”. While it was more a recreation of an ancient pilgrimage to various monastic sites as opposed to a formal examination of the Jesus Prayer, I and my Catechism / Eastern Christian Formation class (all 7th grade boys), with whom I viewed it last week, found it informative and engaging. I would recommend it to those interested in the Jesus Prayer and its foundation in monasticism, which certainly comes through loud and clear in the documentary.

The makers of the video have a website that provides further information: Mysteries of the Jesus Prayer. One of the two pilgrims in the video is an Orthodox priest who was monastically trained and is currently a professor at Columbia University.
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That was the video I was talking about earlier. I haven’t seen it yet, only snippets from YouTube. I’d love to see it, but don’t have the money to purchase a copy. 😛
 
Phillip_Rolfes said:
That was the video I was talking about earlier. I haven’t seen it yet, only snippets from YouTube. I’d love to see it, but don’t have the money to purchase a copy. 😛
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I’m on a limited budget as well, but felt it would be a good investment for my ECF class. It’s hard keeping the interest of 7th grade boys on a Sunday morning. They seemed to enjoy it, and now appreciate their chotki bracelets (which they really like to wear) a little bit more.
 
snowpea said:
don’t want to go with what feels best or the most comfortable to me.

-would rather stick with tradition, working with what I ‘feel is best for me’ seems to smack of pride.

Thank you
Click to expand...
A very wise priest once told me-
Pray as you can, not as you can’t. What matters is that you pray! 😃
 
Oneofthewomen said:
A very wise priest once told me-
Pray as you can, not as you can’t. What matters is that you pray! 😃
Click to expand...
While the sentiment is, of course, spot on, I would have to say that the tradition of the Jesus Prayer still ought to be respected in the same way that the tradition of the Rosary is respected. There is a “canonical” or “official” form of the Rosary and one causes others to raise their eyebrows if one deviates from that form of the slightest. So too with the Jesus Prayer. That being said, however, there is a HUGE deal of variation with regard to the forms of the Jesus Prayer used. The Rule of St. Pachomius that TimothyH posted is probably the best place to start as far as a set and established Rule is concerned. One can, of course, use whatever form of the Jesus Prayer within that Rule that one likes.

One more thing that ought to be pointed out, not everyone is called to pray the Jesus Prayer, just as not everyone is called to pray the Rosary (I know the traditional Catholics will ostracize me for saying that). Fr. Lev Gillet (aka "A Monk of the Eastern Church) makes it quite clear that devotion to the invocation of the Holy Name is a calling. For some people the Jesus Prayer will draw them closer to God than any other form of prayer. For others, it won’t. The same can be said of the Rosary, or any other form of prayer or chaplet. So in that sense your priest-friend’s sentiment is exactly true. 👍
 
Carolus_Martell said:
I don’t mean to over load you but here’s another Jesus prayer …from Jesus himself.

In his conversation with St Faustina, the source of the Divine Mercy devotion Jesus said to say this…

…"O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You."

Here I say that every day and I forget to mention it this morning to you. Somewhere I read that Jesus himself said that was his favorite prayer in his conversations with St Faustina.

Now the Fatima prayer is from the BVM herself at the 3rd apparition.
Click to expand...
The Catholic West has “My Jesus, Mercy!” and St Leonard of Port Maurice counselled the recitation of this 1,000 times daily. The Invocation of the Name of Jesus is also a Western Catholic practice as is the Psalter of Jesus.

The Jesus Prayer goes back to the beginnings of Christianity and St Pachomios of the desert received his rule for saying it from an Angel who, interestingly enough, while he said 100 Jesus Prayers are to be said at the beginning of each hour of the day AND night, 300 Jesus Prayers are to be said at three in the afternoon, the hour in which Christ died on the Cross . . .

You have your approved revelations, we have ours! 🙂

Alex
 
The one familiarized me with the Jesus prayer are the Carmelites.

Now, there was a time when Jesus prayer was part of my daily bread.
But one day, in college, during an exam, I need to solve those hard questions and when I tried to force my brain for answer, the Jesus prayer repeating inside my head :banghead:

After that I took a break from praying the Jesus prayer 😃
Now I prayed it only from time to time.
 
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