What is “The Jesus Prayer”?

The Jesus prayer is short and simple, yet powerful. So powerful that it is even called “a cornerstone” of the Orthodox Churches.  This is a prayer that can bring a person immediately out of trouble: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!”

We all have our moments of finding our “humanness” can see us thinking or doing something momentarily that we truly regret later. This prayer holds power—and it keeps us humble.

The Jesus Prayer is highly respected within the Roman Catholic Church, considered there by some as “an essential” for spiritual growth. I have found it particularly helpful during times when tempted to sin, yes, but also when feeling upset with anger or hurt. Words can have a way of flying out of our mouths before we have had a moment to think about them. At such moments the Jesus Prayer serves as a deeply felt appeal to our Lord. Sometimes, it helps to speak it repetitively. A light tap at the heart can help. It is a real call for help.

When we use this prayer repetitively for 1-12 minutes a sweeping uplift can be felt—even to sense a natural “high” that lifts the heart above all that is currently troubling it. The time it takes to feel as if all is transcended depends on the individual. The more practiced we are in prayer, the quicker this “place in the Spirit” arrives bringing a felt sense of the Lord’s presence being right here with us.

This short, compelling prayer reckons us with the Scripture in Romans 3:23-24, “. . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace . . . . .”

How can we think of Christ on the cross without praying, “Thank you, God, for what took place for us when Jesus gave up His life on the cross. Thank you for the great gift of eternal life.” Or, a prayer directly said to Jesus, “Thank you, Jesus, for what you have done for me!”

Prayer helps us learn how to give our burdens to God so we can let go of our fears and take on His peace. Reading Scripture tells a lot about God and what His hopes are for us. When we make a practice of this, worshiping God comes naturally as we are enriched by God’s great love. Through prayer, we learn to trust His guidance—and much joy comes into our lives. We were made to transcend. Joy and transcendence go together.

Prayer promotes the value of giving our burdens to God. It enables us to let go our fears and take on His peace. Prayer fortifies the reading of the Scriptures which shows us the characteristics of God and what His hopes are for us. When we make this a practice, worshiping God comes naturally as we learn of His great love for us. We become spiritually enriched,

It is through prayer that we learn to trust God’s guidance—resulting in much joy rolling into our lives. Joy and transcendence go together as these were intended within the call to love God, self and others. When we embrace His purpose for our lives there is meaning and purpose. Prayer is our mainstay within life’s difficulties. And-- voilà! We live ABOVE IT ALL.

Gabriel Faure’s Requiem Opus 48, speaks of the rest, the light and the glory that come to God’s people in death. Thanks be to God! There is no wait . . . for we have Christ's rest and His light during each notable instance of our lives!