The Sunday of the Pharisee and Publican is a fitting day for us to familiarize us with the Jesus Prayer. Father Iura spoke of the Jesus Prayer in today’s homily.

The Jesus Prayer
Alice Herro

Prayer, essential to Christian life, is one way we may communicate with God. It is the means by which we experience Jesus. Liturgical prayers conclude with the phrase, “through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” he name, Jesus, is at the heart of faith and prayer. It is through Jesus that heaven’s gates are open. It is in Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, that we ultimately return to the Father.

To early Christians, Jesus was not only a belief, but an experienced reality. Early Christians understood the healing, comforting power of the name, Jesus. From this understanding arose one of the earliest Christian prayers, the Jesus Prayer. It is simple, concise and direct, but rooted in the name of our Lord. It is an insistent prayer that can be said anywhere and anytime.

Jesus emptied Himself as His gift to us. Likewise, we return the gifts and empty ourselves as our gift to Him. How do we empty ourselves? How do we achieve this exchange of gifts?

Repeating the Jesus Prayer continuously is one way. With the Jesus Prayer, heart addresses Heart. Thus, the Jesus Prayer establishes communion between your heart and the Heart of Jesus. With practice, the Jesus Prayer will lead you into the Presence of Christ.

How does one pray continuously? A simple breathing technique will help sustain continuous repetition of the prayer:

~Inhale
~Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, (invocation)
~Exhale
~be merciful to me, a sinner. (petition)

Many people recite the Our Father on the crucifix, the Jesus Prayer on all the beads, and the Glory Be on the crucifix. Although the Jesus Prayer is traditionally recited, you may say any prayer, word or group of words. Whatever leads you into the Presence of Christ is correct. Examples beside the Jesus Prayer: + Glory be to the Father, etc.; + Jesus; + My Lord and my God; + Lover of mankind; + Blessed be God (or any of the Divine Praises).

Begin by reciting the prayer 100 times. That sounds like forever, but it’s just a few minutes. The Jesus Prayer rosary (sometimes called prayer rope) beads enable you to count the prayers “automatically” without thinking about numbers.

Ancient saints stood in an “orans” position: arms bent forward from the elbows, palms up, in a receptive position. However, you may elect to kneel, sit or lie on your back. You may be actively engaged in something as ordinary as washing dishes. Any position or any activity is correct as long as you can remain focussed, thus preparing yourself for the exchange of gifts. Recited repeatedly, the prayer will be naturally synchronized with your breathing. As you breathe and pray, one in concert with the other, you will begin to empty yourself, cultivating an inner stillness that makes room for the Presence of Christ. Continue this practice from time to time throughout the day. Summon the Holy Spirit for guidance and help. Try to increase the number of recitations as your focus permits. Persevere and the Jesus Prayer will not only become habitual and continuous; it will fill your heart.

The power of Christ transcends everything. In seeking Jesus you can receive peace and contentment, even in the midst of darkness and despair. However, when you pray the Jesus Prayer, do not focus on peace, contentment or any other intention. You won’t find them and you won’t find Jesus either. Rather, seek Jesus only and He will bless each person individually and accordingly.