The Jesus Prayer

The Beginning

(Before beginning the Jesus Prayer, one typically says the Introductory Prayers:)

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
O Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, who are everywhere present and fill all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of Life: Come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3x)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (3x)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers... Amen.

The Standard Formula

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

(This prayer is the distillation of the whole Gospel, acknowledging the Lordship of Christ, His divinity, and our need for healing.)

(Short Form:)

"Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me."

(The Publican's Cry - Luke 18:13:)

"And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying: God, be merciful to me, a sinner."

(Patristic Variation - from St. Gregory of Sinai:)

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

Hesychasm: The Inner Way

(Hesychasm is the tradition of inner stillness and constant prayer.)

"Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

"But you, when you pray, enter into your inner chamber and shut your door..." (Matthew 6:6)

(The goal of Hesychia is the union of the mind with the heart, where the Name of Jesus becomes the very breath of the soul.)

Watchfulness (Nepsis)

(Watchfulness is the guarding of the heart against intrusive thoughts.)

"Be sober, be watchful; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8)

The practitioner of Nepsis stands at the door of the heart, using the Jesus Prayer as a sword to strike down every logismos (intrusive thought) before it can take root.

Stillness and Light

(Through constant invocation, the mind eventually descends into the heart.)

In the depth of stillness, the soul may be granted the vision of the Uncreated Light—the same glory that shone upon the Apostles on Mount Tabor.

"Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)