The Jesus Prayer

 The Jesus Prayer and the Prayer Rope

http://www.sprint.net.au/~corners/Aug00/JesusPrayer.htm

IN THE FIRST Epistle to the Thessalonians the Apostle Paul says: "Pray without ceasing." How then is one to pray unceasingly? By often repeating the Jesus Prayer: "O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me a sinner." By becoming accustomed to this appeal, great consolation and the need to continually make this petition will be felt within, and it will be carried on, as if of itself, within one.

Although in the beginning, the enemy of the human race offers hindrances to this, by causing great weariness, indolence, boredom and overcoming sleep, having withstood all these with the help of God, one will receive peace of soul, spiritual joy, a benevolent disposition towards people, purification of thoughts, and gratitude towards God.

In the very Name of Jesus a great and graceful power is present. Many holy and righteous people advise repeating the Jesus Prayer (also known as the Prayer of heart), as frequently as possible; almost without interruption.

It is necessary for everyone, whether eating, drinking, sitting, serving, traveling, or in doing anything, to ceaselessly lament: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me a sinner" in order that the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, in descending into the depths of our hearts, may humble the serpent of destruction, and save and enlighten the soul.

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner." Let your attention and instruction be centered on this. Walking, eating, standing in Church before the beginning of the service, continue with the prayer on your lips and within your heart. In such a manner, with the invocation of the Name of God you will find peace, you will attain to purity of spirit and body and the Holy Spirit, the Origin of all good, will make for Himself a dwelling within you and will guide you in all purity.

Those who have truly decided to serve the Lord God must train themselves in the remembrance of God and in unceasing prayer to Jesus Christ, saying mentally, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner."

Through such activity, and by guarding oneself from distraction, and with the preservation of peace in one’s conscience, it is possible to draw near to God and to be united with Him. For, according to the words of St. Isaac the Syrian, "Except for unceasing prayer we cannot draw near to God"

The prayer rope is one of the items given to an Orthodox Christian monk at the rite of tonsure; it is given to him as his spiritual sword with which he, as a soldier of Christ, must make war against our spiritual enemy, the devil. This sword is wielded by calling on the name of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ in a plea for mercy, that is by praying the Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner." This prayer can be said in a shorter form, such as: "Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me;" or in a longer form, as: "By the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos and all the Saints, Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me."

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

Breath Prayers

http://www.healthyspirituality.org/2010/10/breath-prayers.html

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the LORD. 

 Psalm 150:6

Have you heard of “Breath Prayers?”

Breath prayers are short prayers said in one breath. Simple, repetitive and surprisingly ancient. The breath prayer generally involves quietly repeating a chosen phrase for several minutes, allowing the prayer to take on the shape of one's breathing so that the words accompany every breath.

Breath prayers can be helpful when you just don’t know what to pray, like in times of spiritual dryness or difficulties. This prayer expresses dependence and trust in God that often produces a calm and a sense of nearness to the Lord.