The early monastics known as the “Desert Fathers and Mothers” wrote a simple scriptural prayer called the Jesus Prayer, which they taught pilgrims to pray 3,000 times a day.
The prayer is simply: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” For centuries, believers have used it as a mantra to call upon the powerful name of Jesus and beg him to anoint them with kindness.
An easy way to begin is to sit comfortably and set a timer for somewhere between five and 20 minutes. Close your eyes and say the Jesus Prayer silently, connecting it with your breath. Continue to breathe the prayer in and out until the timer rings. As other thoughts surface, release them gently and return to the prayer. Another way to pray it is with a walking meditation. Say the prayers as you walk slowly, connecting the rhythm of your steps with your breath and the mantra. The more you use the Jesus Prayer, the more it prays itself within you.
This message is excerpted from “Three ways to add something for Lent” by Laura Gentry in the March 2018 Café online magazine.
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