Your Favourite ejaculative prayer?

[caeli0]

January just closing and being the month of the Holy Name of Jesus…

“Jesus, Jesus, Jesus”

This has served me well, not much more is necessary.

GREAT THREAD!!!

 

[Bookcat]

I don’t quite understand what you mean. Care to elaborate.

Is the concern about breath in and breath out related to the rhythm involved in Yoga ?

I remember a Catholic Bishop in India had warned christians from practicing Yoga.

But I would like to understand why you said that.

Joe

Why would there be a problem with this?

One would have to read those who are experts on the Jesus Prayer…on this aspect of it…

I have often seen a caution in regards to this aspect…that one should have a spiritual director who is experienced if one wishes to add breathing to it…

Though perhaps they meant more prolonged periods…(??)

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Also this is from the Congr. for the Doctrine of the Faith:

1. Eastern Christian meditation32 has valued “psychophysical symbolism,” often absent in western forms of prayer. It can range from a specific bodily posture to the basic life functions, such as breathing or the beating of the heart. The exercise of the “Jesus Prayer,” for example, which adapts itself to the natural rhythm of breathing can, at least for a certain time, be of real help to many people.33 On the other hand, the eastern masters themselves have also noted that not everyone is equally suited to making use of this symbolism, since not everybody is able to pass from the material sign to the spiritual reality that is being sought.

Understood in an inadequate and incorrect way, the symbolism can even become an idol and thus an obstacle to the raising up of the spirit to God. To live out in one’s prayer the full awareness of one’s body as a symbol is even more difficult: it can degenerate into a cult of the body and can lead surreptitiously to considering all bodily sensations as spiritual experiences.

ewtn.com/library/curia/cdfmed.htm

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Note too that the above is not saying the Jesus Prayer is not good…it is good! It is referred to in fact in the Catechism of the Catholic Church…and the Doc. above it notes that some have found it “at least for a certain time” to be helpful.

I do not want to say categorically “do not ever associate breathing with it” but to simply note the cautions I have read in the past (not at my fingertips right now to look into the question more)…

 

[Bookcat]

As to ejaculatory prayers per se…

It is ancient and very good. They are as St. Augustine calls them …little arrows sent up…

And they help keep one in the presence of God…

In fact the Catholic Church offers a partial indulgence for this sort of thing when…while one is carrying the duties of life or enduring hardships …when we thus raise our minds in humble trust to God and make at least mentally some pious invocation! (See under the General Grants ‘Grant 1’)

 

[centurionguard]

The Jesus Prayer

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

 

[nuntym]

+JMJ+

I just realized that the motto in my signature IS an ejaculatory prayer ^___^ I found myself using it today. Even “Jesus, Mary, Joseph!”

The motto of the Jesuits, “Ad maiorem Dei gloriam!” or “For the greater glory of God!” is another. And also St. Louis de Montfort’s: “Ad Jesum per Mariam,” or “To Jesus through Mary.”

God bless!

 

[caeli0]

Originally Posted by joeantony
I don’t quite understand what you mean. Care to elaborate.

Is the concern about breath in and breath out related to the rhythm involved in Yoga ?

I remember a Catholic Bishop in India had warned christians from practicing Yoga.

But I would like to understand why you said that.

Joe

Originally Posted by Joannm
Why would there be a problem with this?

One would have to read those who are experts on the Jesus Prayer…on this aspect of it…

I have often seen a caution in regards to this aspect…that one should have a spiritual director who is experienced if one wishes to add breathing to it…

Though perhaps they meant more prolonged periods…(??)

---

Also this is from the Congr. for the Doctrine of the Faith:

1. Eastern Christian meditation32 has valued “psychophysical symbolism,” often absent in western forms of prayer. It can range from a specific bodily posture to the basic life functions, such as breathing or the beating of the heart. The exercise of the “Jesus Prayer,” for example, which adapts itself to the natural rhythm of breathing can, at least for a certain time, be of real help to many people.33 On the other hand, the eastern masters themselves have also noted that not everyone is equally suited to making use of this symbolism, since not everybody is able to pass from the material sign to the spiritual reality that is being sought.

Understood in an inadequate and incorrect way, the symbolism can even become an idol and thus an obstacle to the raising up of the spirit to God. To live out in one’s prayer the full awareness of one’s body as a symbol is even more difficult: it can degenerate into a cult of the body and can lead surreptitiously to considering all bodily sensations as spiritual experiences.

ewtn.com/library/curia/cdfmed.htm

---

Note too that the above is not saying the Jesus Prayer is not good…it is good! It is referred to in fact in the Catechism of the Catholic Church…and the Doc. above it notes that some have found it “at least for a certain time” to be helpful.

I do not want to say categorically “do not ever associate breathing with it” but to simply note the cautions I have read in the past (not at my fingertips right now to look into the question more)…

This poster is referring to an ejaculatory prayer while walking not while they are in a trancelike meditation. I now am beginning to understand why there are warnings about certain writings. I have read many of these writings and they are improperly applied and used to cause unnecessary anxiety. These authors are and or will be mystics, saints, very holy people and certainly they are not pleased that their writings are so misapplied.

What would you have this poster think about or say instead? I can just imagine what one encounters while walking! Maybe you would have them hold their breath while walking?

I am certain your intentions are well founded. This thread is about ejaculatory prayer, this poster gave theirs as you did yours. What is there to gain by causing such anxiety?

My apologies to the OP. This is a great thread, I hope this does not shut it down.

 

[centurionguard]

This poster is referring to an ejaculatory prayer while walking not while they are in a trancelike meditation. I now am beginning to understand why there are warnings about certain writings. I have read many of these writings and they are improperly applied and used to cause unnecessary anxiety. These authors are and or will be mystics, saints, very holy people and certainly they are not pleased that their writings are so misapplied.

What would you have this poster think about or say instead? I can just imagine what one encounters while walking! Maybe you would have them hold their breath while walking?

I am certain your intentions are well founded. This thread is about ejaculatory prayer, this poster gave theirs as you did yours. What is there to gain by causing such anxiety?

My apologies to the OP. This is a great thread, I hope this does not shut it down.

Exactly; because when one is in a state of Contemplative Prayer there is no vocalization in prayer. Even the mind itself can become unaware of reality. It is the Spirit of God who so chooses to bring Souls in Contemplative Prayer in this state.

 

[Bookcat]

This poster is referring to an ejaculatory prayer while walking not while they are in a trancelike meditation. I now am beginning to understand why there are warnings about certain writings. I have read many of these writings and they are improperly applied and used to cause unnecessary anxiety. These authors are and or will be mystics, saints, very holy people and certainly they are not pleased that their writings are so misapplied.

What would you have this poster think about or say instead? I can just imagine what one encounters while walking! Maybe you would have them hold their breath while walking?

I am certain your intentions are well founded. This thread is about ejaculatory prayer, this poster gave theirs as you did yours. What is there to gain by causing such anxiety?

My apologies to the OP. This is a great thread, I hope this does not shut it down.

Humm…I have not misapplied anything…but simply noting that there can be some cautions …

And the quote was from the CDF…one can read the whole document to get the full context.

Perhaps you read my post quickly and missed parts.

As for walking…he said “it works great while walking” after saying “Breath in…and breath out” …the walking part was one example of such use…he did not say he just used it or to just use it walking.

As for Ejaculatory prayers…

I am certainly one who exhorts others to ejaculatory prayers…and I value very much the Jesus Prayer.

 

[hazcompat]

My Jesus Mercy

peace

 

[57classic]

My Jesus, pardon and mercy through the merits of Thy sacred wounds!

 

[Bookcat]

Jesus within your wounds hide me

 

[Student09]

Jesus, I love you.

My Jesus, mercy.

Lord Jesus, crucified, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in you.

Most Precious Blood of Jesus, save us.

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for me. (Or sometimes I call her Mama … )

Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

And I talk to Jesus, while I go about my day … at least, I try to.

 

[LWOTF]

As for walking…he said “it works great while walking” after saying “Breath in…and breath out” …the walking part was one example of such use…he did not say he just used it or to just use it walking.
QUOTE]
Yes, that was what I meant.
I found the information you posted very interesting. Thanks. I think I understand the gist of it, the danger of learning to interpret sensual feelings as spiritual ones. That could quickly lead one away from worshiping God and toward worshiping self. Sort of like the whole centering prayer issue. It did lead me to thinking, though (which is always dangerous…)
If using breathing in prayer is potentially dangerous, why don’t we worry about other sensual aspects of our prayer life? The sign of the cross is a completely physical prayer. Kneeling during prayer adds a physical component. Incense is physical as well - the sense of smell. Where is the line that you shouldn’t cross?
I guess that line comes when the physical aspect starts competing with the spiritual aspect in terms of becoming the object of the prayer. A prayer with breathing that turns into a breathing meditative exercise wouldn’t be very Catholic anymore.
Anyway, this is probably getting a little bit off-topic.
The short answer to all this is, for ejaculatory prayers, keep 'em short and simple.
Thanks for an interesting thread.

 

[kvw]

Here is one of them: Come Holy Spirit; come now; come as You wish.

Also, I love St. Augustine’s prayer below.

 

[joeantony]

Here is one of them: Come Holy Spirit; come now; come as You wish.

Also, I love St. Augustine’s prayer below.

Indeed… I love both of them…

Joe

 

[Samson01]

This is a great thread for those suffering with OCD or intrusive thoughts during prayer. You can do it everytime you think of the Lord.

 

[simple_soul]

Hi,
First of all I have to say this is a beautiful thread.
Next I was wondering if someone could explain for me what exactly an ejaculatory prayer is and does it have to be short or can it be longer?
Longer as in a prayer that your heart kind of murmers thoughout the day.

 

[joeantony]

Hi,
First of all I have to say this is a beautiful thread.
Next I was wondering if someone could explain for me what exactly an ejaculatory prayer is and does it have to be short or can it be longer?
Longer as in a prayer that your heart kind of murmers thoughout the day.

Hi,

I do not know if there is a formal definition of ejaculatory prayer. I used to do ejaculatory prayers since childhood , my mother taught me many of them in my mother tongue.

As far as I know ejaculatory prayers are short. Something that can be said in single breath, easy to remember, meaningful and something that boost our spiritual life, increase love and faith.

Jesus, Be my light.

Holy Mother of God, pray for us.

Lord, I trust in you etc.

But, I am not sure if repeating for example, St Micheal’s prayer, or The memorare, Hail Holy Queen etc can be considered as ejaculatory prayer. I don’t personally consider them as ejaculatory prayers.

But sometimes I use bible verses " Angel of the Lord shall encamp around about them that fear Him: and shall deliver them" Psalm 34: 8

“Fear not,for I am with thee: turn not aside, for I am thy God: I have strengthened thee, and have helped thee,and right hand of my just one hath upheld thee” Isaiah 41:10
etc …
I do not know if using Bible verses can also be considered as ejaculatory prayer. But a longer prayer won’t be ejaculatory prayer. Still it is advisable to do longer prayer if it is more appropriate for you. For example St Michael’s Prayer through out the day.
Joe

 

[joeantony]

Hi,
First of all I have to say this is a beautiful thread.
Next I was wondering if someone could explain for me what exactly an ejaculatory prayer is and does it have to be short or can it be longer?
Longer as in a prayer that your heart kind of murmers thoughout the day.

Well, i found this definition

“An ejaculation, sometimes called an aspiration, is a short prayer meant to be memorized and repeated throughout the day. In this way, we can heed Saint Paul’s injunction to “Pray without ceasing” and continually turn our thoughts toward God.”

Joe

 

[Bookcat]

And remember the Catholic Church offers a partial indulgence for this sort of thing when…while one is carrying the duties of life or enduring hardships …when we thus raise our minds in humble trust to God and make at least mentally some pious invocation! (See under the General Grants ‘Grant 1’)