The Jesus Prayer: A Way to Contemplation

Discover a hidden treasure passed down to us through the ancient traditions of Eastern Christianity:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.

Readers are invited to plumb the depths of this short prayer passed down to us through the ancient traditions of Eastern Christianity.

"Some of the teachings from The Jesus Prayer that remain with me: the goal of our spiritual life is love, and the Jesus Prayer is a means to that end. Being grasped by love becomes a reality for those who pray this prayer with concentration and faith. Time and again, the refrain "with the mind in the heart" is mentioned to highlight the importance of integrating the cognitive and affective domains of our lives. The short, simple, and repetitious prayer is all about experiencing the presence of Jesus in our lives. This prayer is Trinitarian in that it is a way of union with God in Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Silence and quietness are dispositions that foster remembrance of the Lord and are integral components of this form of prayer. Lastly, Barrington-Ward makes it clear that the Jesus Prayer is part of a larger context, that is, part of one's whole faith life and worship. More than that, this prayer has the potential to transform us through the power of the Spirit so that the mess and muddle of life (our disappointments, disillusionments, and disintegration) are confronted in the depth of prayer and can receive the grace of healing. In other words, this prayer is not some isolated, disconnected prayer form but, rather, one that contains an utter realism.

Features & Benefits:

• Introduces readers to spiritual mentors in both the Christian East and West