A short, repeated invocation of Jesus asking for mercy, central to the Orthodox hesychast tradition.
Tagged: Daily Prayer Meditation Prayer
The Text
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Historical Context
The Jesus Prayer combines the cry of the blind men in Matthew 20:31, the publican's prayer in Luke 18:13 ('God, be merciful to me, a sinner'), and confession of Jesus as Lord and Son of God. It was cultivated by the monastics of Egypt and Sinai and developed most fully in the hesychast tradition of Mount Athos in the 13th and 14th centuries, where it was joined to the rhythm of breathing and defended theologically by St. Gregory Palamas. The 19th-century Russian book The Way of a Pilgrim spread its practice widely among laypeople.
Use and Practice
The prayer is repeated continuously, often with a prayer rope (komboskini or chotki) to count repetitions, as the core of a personal prayer rule and as an attempt at unceasing prayer in the sense of 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Shorter forms, down to the single name 'Jesus,' are also used.
References
- OrthodoxWiki — Jesus Prayer Free / open access
Related Prayers and Creeds
- Trisagion Prayers — The opening prayers of Orthodox services and prayer rules, built around the thrice-holy hymn 'Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal.'
- The Lord's Prayer (Our Father) — The prayer Jesus taught his disciples in Matthew 6 and Luke 11, shared by Christians of every tradition.
Related Across the Site
- Al-Fatiha Prayer or Creed — The opening chapter of the Qur'an, recited in every unit of the ritual prayer.
- Amidah Prayer or Creed — The standing prayer at the center of every Jewish prayer service, recited silently while standing.
- Dhikr Prayer or Creed — The remembrance of God through repeated short formulas of glory, praise, and greatness.
- Gayatri Mantra Prayer or Creed — The most revered mantra of the Rig Veda, a meditation on the divine light that illumines the mind.
- Prayers of the Rosary Prayer or Creed — The set of prayers prayed on the beads of the Rosary, including the Fatima Prayer and the Hail Holy Queen.
- Salah Prayer or Creed — The ritual prayer performed five times daily, with fixed postures, recitations, and the closing testimony (Tashahhud).
- The Angelus Prayer or Creed — A thrice-daily prayer of versicles and Hail Marys commemorating the Annunciation and the Incarnation.
- The Lord's Prayer (Our Father) Prayer or Creed — The prayer Jesus taught his disciples in Matthew 6 and Luke 11, shared by Christians of every tradition.