The Jesus Prayer is a contemplative approach with the intent of coming into God’s presence. It is a one line prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner. You can practice this prayer either formally or informally. Formal use refers to the repetitive use of the prayer, usually at a specific time and place, until it becomes habitual and eventually automatic. Informal use is when you use the prayer freely while going through the activities of daily living.
When practicing the prayer formally, find a time and place where you can have quiet. Get yourself into a posture you prefer, sitting or kneeling. You may also try lying down or standing up if one works better for you. Start with 10 minute sessions and gradually increase the time each day. At first 10 minutes will seem like at eternity, but eventually you’ll want to extend your time.
We don’t say the Jesus Prayer, or enter wordless contemplation, to get “some benefit.” We don’t pray to reduce our stress, or strengthen our immune system, or lose weight, or add years to our life. On the contrary, we enter prayer to follow Christ, to become open to Him. His way is the Way of the Cross
—Dr. Albert S. Rossi | St. Vladimir’s Seminary | Director of Counseling
The Jesus Prayer is a contemplative exercise, one of inner stillness, where the intent is to come into the presence of God. Reciting the prayer serves to focus your intent and bring you into his presence. The prayer can be said internally or out loud. In either case, your recitation will develop a natural rhythm or emphasis (on different words or phrases). Let the prayer sing its own song, rather than trying to control it artificially. If there’s a distraction or your thoughts go to other things, even a pleasant thoughts, you can lose your intention—the presence of God. Return your attention to him with the words, “Lord Jesus,” and begin anew with the repetition.
You can coordinate the prayer with the breath by saying, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God” on the inhalation, and “have mercy on me a sinner” on the exhalation. Repeat the phrases with each breath and pause briefly before the next recitation.
If a formal session is missed or doesn’t go as planned, be patient with yourself. Making an effort is important, but following a rigid regiment is not. There is room for flexibility. After all, God’s presence is freely available, not dispensed in exchange for meeting a quota on prayer.
Through the Jesus Prayer we are accepting the reality that we cannot control everything, and we surrender to the one who does have all things in his control.
—John Hunt | Author | The Jesus Prayer: Entering The High Point of Heaven
You can use the Jesus Prayer informally by returning to it throughout the day or by shooting up a quick prayer to ask for help, protection, or to connect with God. This informal approach assists you in being in the moment and fosters an awareness that God is with you—nonverbal prayer. As you develop greater awareness during the day, you will set distractions aside, make room for God’s presence, and come to him in all things. We are learning how to do what the apostle Paul called, “Unceasing prayer” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
In the end, success with the Jesus Prayer is not determined by posture, breath, emphasis, or the number of prayers recited. The only success that matters is your desire and effort to come into the presence of God—with this, he is well pleased.
