www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology The Value of the Jesus Prayer

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 familiar with the theology behind the Jesus Prayer. Thank you!!

Go to your spiritual director/confessor, and follow their instructions.

Don't do it without guidance. Period.

I have been praying the Jesus prayer with a chotki as I have understood the method from what I've read from an online source (St. Anne's Byz. I think).....I to was advised to speak to a spiritual director re: the form of prayer, and outside of being too shy to talk to people I don't already know, I am all for the idea, but why is it so important to have spiritual direction when praying the Jesus prayer? Especially in view of the P.John's severe advice, ".....Period." Why not? What might the dangers be?

Ditto: I'm shy too and in my view a prayer is a prayer. I hope this isn't pride speaking though. I just desire a deeper relationship with Christ through the prayer. I have faith that the Spirit will guide me. I will talk to a priest about it if I must though.

Here is something to help you from the esteemed St. Vladimir's Seminary (OCA)...

It will answer everything you want to know about the Jesus Prayer.



The harm is in the extreme additions/exercises people sometimes can take upon themselves while saying the prayer.That is why Father is adamant about just talking to your priest about it before embarking--so that he can make sure that you are doing it right and with the correct spiritual intention...

http://www.svots.edu/Faculty/Albert-Rossi/Articles/Saying-the-Jesus-Prayer.html

ALICE:

Glory be to Jesus Christ!! Glory to Him forever and ever!!

I had the same question after reading Father's reply. I've used the Jesus Prayer and a chotki for over 30 years. But I've never used it any differently than I would a Latin rosary. Once or twice around the chotki concentrating on the words of the prayer and trying to simply disconnect from the noise of the world around me. Then back to business.

BOB

Dear Alice,

The url you linked contained beautifully written prose.

Thanks.

Lovingly in Christ,
Elizabeth

Generally the advice to seek a spiritual father/mother/director is a good one, especially in light of the OP's statement that he wants to draw closer to Christ through this prayer. There is nothing wrong with the prayer and it's not likely that a Latin would take on the excesses that are of some concern.

So, with that in mind, say the prayer and reflect on the various portions:

Lord Jesus: what does that mean in your life? How is Jesus "Lord" and what does it mean to be "Lord"?
Son of God: What does it mean to be the "Son of God"? How does our adoption through baptism join us to the "Son of God"?
Have mercy: This is our constant prayer, the most common prayer in Eastern tradition is a cry to God for mercy. What mercy do you want? How is this mercy made evident?
on me a sinner.: This is your acknowledgment of your status as a sinner. What is it that you will do about this status?

As you pray you can obviously reflect on other things as well -- but this is a good start.

Fr. Deacon Ed

Thank you. This is very informative and will help me as I start. I don't think that going any farther than these simple meditations will even be necessary seeing as they're so deep that there is not one answer and at different points in my life the answers could change. Have any Church Fathers or other saints said anything about the Jesus Prayer?

Tom,

Below is a list you should find helpful. The first is a link to Bishop Kallistos' book which is now online. I highly recommend the Akathist to the Name of Jesus, The Way of a Pilgrim and The Jesus Prayer by Fr. Lev Gillet to start. I believe all the below books are available from Light and Life Publishing: http://www.light-n-life.com/index.asp

The Power of the Name: The Jesus Prayer in Orthodox Spirituality
By Bishop Kallistos Ware
http://www.oodegr.com/english/psyxotherap/dyn_onom1.htm

The Acathist Hymn to the Name of Jesus
by Archbishop Joseph Raya

Introduction to the Jesus Prayer
by Princess Ileana

The Jesus Prayer in Eastern Spirituality
by Gabriele Winkler

The Jesus Prayer: A Gift From the Fathers
by Fr. David Hester

The Jesus Prayer
by A Monk of the Eastern Church (Fr. Lev Gillet)
Revised edition with a foreword by Bishop Kallistos Ware

On the Invocation of the Name of Jesus
by A Monk of the Eastern Church (Fr.Lev Gillet)

On the Prayer of Jesus
by Ignatius Brianchaninov. Foreword by Bishop Kallistos Ware

The Way of a Pilgrim and the Pilgrim Continues on His Way
translated by H. Bacovcin

The Way of a Pilgrim: The Jesus Prayer Journey
translation and annotation by Gleb Petrovsky

Writings from the Philokalia: On Prayer of the Heart
translation by E. Kadloubovsky and G.E.H. Palmer

I got my chotki today! Can't wait to use it!

Okay, I'm really trying not to be rude, but after reading and praying/meditating on the prayer I don't really see the point of it...I'm honestly not trying to be mean or unfaithful but I just don't see it's necessity? Maybe I'm not understanding the full idea of the prayer. Am I missing some piece of Eastern theology piece that's confusing me?

Thanks for your patience and explanations

The Jesus Prayer is to be prayed under the direction of a spiritual advisor. I do not understand what is meant by meditate.
I have always been taught the the Jesus Prayer is be be prayed not thought about or to speculate on. I have always been tuaught that this type of private speculation or meditation or use of one's imagination is contrary to the Eastern Orthodox tradition. Also I do not think people should undertake the use of the Jesus Prayer without the guidance of a spiritual advisor.
I find the chanting of the Acathist of Jesus Christ which included the Jesus Prayer to be very helpful to my spirituality and prayer life.

I am not familiar with this type of prayer but have heard it is similar to the Rosary which I pray daily. The Rosary is to help quite your soul. I know for me I rush around all day wth work, family, school, children and more and the Rosary is a way for me to stop it requires time to do nothing but be still. The first couple decades I usually am rushing but then when I let go and accept it will take me a while to do this so I might as well do it calmly then is when I can feel the Holy Spirit quiting my soul and guiding me through the prayers. Basically it is a form of meditation.

Yes Maura - you are correct - the Rosary is a form of meditation - you are intended during each decade to think and meditate on that particular Mystery .

In the East we do not meditate when using the Chotki and the Jesus prayer - we say the prayer slowly and allow it to become part of us. Our Spiritual Fathers instruct us in the way we should use it.