The Jesus Prayer

Pray without ceasing.---St. Paul

 

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner." This is one of my favorite prayers. This simple prayer becomes more and more important for me over the years. I learned it in 1998 after reading the book, "The Way of a Pilgrim." The author is unknown, but he was a wandering seeker of how to "pray always" in the 19th century. He heard the words of St. Paul one Sunday during the liturgy of the Word at Mass. Paul said to "pray without ceasing". The pilgrim started asking everyone how this could be done in the midst of life's daily toils. His question took him many places and through many experiences. Finally, he learned the "Jesus Prayer" from an old priest who took him in and fed him. It is a very simple prayer, the simplest, but it has within it the key to our deepest longings. The pilgrim prayed the prayer so often during his day that it became a part of his very breath. The prayer slowly began to change his view of the world and the people he met. He became more and more truthful, caring, forgiving, and detached from the things of this world. His love for Jesus overtook his simple little life and joy flooded his soul.

 

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

 

wkm