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Jesus Prayer

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{{spirituality}}The '''Jesus Prayer''', also called the '''''Prayer of the Heart''''' by some [[Church Fathers]], the '''''Prayer of a Single Thought''''', or simply '''''The Prayer''''', is a short, simple prayer that has been widely used, taught and discussed throughout the history of [[Introduction to Orthodox Christianity|Eastern Christianity]]. The exact words of the prayer have varied, from a simple form such as [[Kyrie eleison|"Lord, have mercy"]] to the more common an extended form: : "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner." The form most in use on [[Mount Athos]] is "[[Lord ]] Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me." It is particularly used in the practice of the spiritual life known as [[hesychasm]].
It is, for the Orthodox, one of the most profound and mystical prayers and is often repeated endlessly as part of a personal [[asceticism|ascetic]] practice. There have been a number of [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] texts on the subject, but its usage has never achieved the same degree of devotion as in the Eastern Church. A more elaborate version known to some Roman Catholics by the same name goes: "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of [[Hell]], and lead all souls to [[Heaven]], especially those most in need of Your mercy."
The prayer is most reflective of the lesson taught by the [[parable ]] of the [[Publican and the Pharisee]]; in which the [[Pharisee ]] demonstrates the improper way to pray by exclaiming, "Thank you Lord that I am not like the Publican." While the Publican in humility prays correctly "Lord have mercy on me, the sinner" ([[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 18:10-14). And likewise in the [[Gospel]]s, [[Apostle Peter|Peter]] crying out as he sank into the sea, "Lord, save me."
In the Orthodox [[tradition]] the prayer is said or prayed repeatedly, often with the aid of a [[prayer rope]]. It may be accompanied by [[prostration]]s and the [[sign of the cross]]. As such, it is used as a means of finding contrition and as a means of bringing about humility in the individual; hence the words "the sinner" are sometimes added as if no other sinner existed but the person praying (though there is no indefinite article in Greek, thus leading to some controversy about whether the translation in English should be "the sinner" or "a sinner").  [[Monasticism|Monastics]] often have long sessions praying this prayer many hundreds of times each night as part of their discipline, and through the guidance of an elder, its practitioner’s practitioner's ultimate goal is to "internalize" the prayer, so that one is praying unceasingly there-by accomplishing Saint [[Apostle Paul|Paul]]'s exhortation to the Thessalonians to "pray without ceasing" ([[I Thessalonians]] 5:17). The use of the Jesus Prayer in this way is the subject of the Russian classic ''[[The Way of a Pilgrim]]''. For many, after a time, the Jesus Prayer ''enters into the heart'', so that it is no longer recited by a deliberate effort, but recites itself spontaneously.
== See also ==
 
*[[Hesychasm]]
*[[Monasticism]]
*[[Prayer rope]]
== External links ==
 *[http://www.ocahesychasm.orgru/pagesen/orth_chriindex.htm Hesychasm]*[http:/Orthodox-Faith/Spiritualitywww.oca.org/The-Jesus-PrayerOCchapter.html asp?ID=195 The Jesus Prayer], a very straightforward exposition*[http://www.orthodoxinfoarchangelsbooks.com/praxisarticles/ignaty_jesusspirituality/JesusPrayer_Brianchaninov.htm asp On Practicing the Jesus Prayer] by St. [[Ignatius Brianchaninov]]
*[http://www.svots.edu/Faculty/Albert-Rossi/Articles/Saying-the-Jesus-Prayer.html Saying the Jesus Prayer] by Albert Rossi
*[http://stnicholaspdx.org/articles/jesusprayer.php More articles on the Jesus prayer] - Fr. [[Thomas Hopko]], [[Steven Peter Tsichlis]], Metropolitan [[Anthony (Bloom) of Sourozh]], and Father Kevin Hunt, OCSO
*[http://archangelsbooks.com/articles/spirituality/IntroJesusPrayer.asp Introduction to the Jesus Prayer by Mother Alexandra]
*[http://www.orthodoxprayer.org/Jesus%20Prayer.html How to pray the Jesus Prayer and many articles and links]
[[Category:Asceticism]]
[[Category:Hesychasm]]
[[Categoryes:AsceticismOración de Jesús]][[fr:Prière de Jésus]][[ro:Rugăciunea lui Iisus]]
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