Prayer means everything to the Orthodox Christian. We engage in quiet conversation with God and come to know Him intimately. And we find our souls attain true peace when we regain control of our minds and focus only on God. While every prayer has the power to transform the heart, mind, and soul, one in particular holds a special place in Orthodox Tradition: the Jesus Prayer.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
What is the Jesus Prayer?
The Jesus Prayer, also called the Prayer of the Heart or the Prayer of a Single Thought, is a short, simple prayer. In it, we confess our faith in Christ and ask for His mercy. The wording of the prayer may vary. But it’s most commonly used form is: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Since the prayer is said repeatedly, many Orthodox Christians will use prayer ropes to aid them in praying the Jesus Prayer. Some may make the sign of the cross every time they recite the prayer. Still others perform prostrations or metanias.
Many opponents of Eastern Orthodoxy mistakenly characterize the Jesus Prayer (because of its use in hesychasm) as a pagan practice, like far-Eastern meditation (i.e Hinduism, Buddhism). While the Jesus Prayer may share certain characteristics with these other non-Christian practices, the Jesus Prayer is fundamentally different and unique in the way it expresses faith in God.
Where does the Jesus Prayer come from?
The Jesus Prayer has been practiced through the centuries as part of the Eastern Tradition. In the 20th century, Western churches started to use it, including some Latin Catholics and Anglicans.
With regard to Scripture, we see the Jesus Prayer most clearly practiced by the Publican in Luke 18:10-14. The Pharisee exalts himself and thanks God he is not like other men. But the Publican stands far from the altar, refuses to raise his eyes to heaven and his his chest and cries, “God, be merciful to me a sinner”. We see another form of this prayer when Peter calls out, “Lord, save me” as he sank into the sea (Matthew 14:30).
Perhaps the most impactful story of this prayer in the Scriptures is that of the blind man in Jericho who cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me” (Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43). When he cried out, the crowd rebuked him and told him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped. In the middle of His preaching, above the din of the crowds, He hears the prayer of the blind man and stops, commanding that the blind man be brought to Him. The Lord then returns the man’s sight, and the crowds give praise to God for what they saw. This prayer is the one that always stops the Lord Jesus Christ. When we utter it, we know He will hear us and come to our aid.
The power of the Lord’s Name
The Jesus Prayer begins with the name of our Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ. The transformative power behind this prayer lies in proclaiming the name itself, for “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). But why is calling on the name of the Lord so powerful?
In the Old Testament (OT), knowing a person’s name gave you power over that person. Name was inexorably linked to a person’s very being. Address them by name, and they would respond when you called them. God would not disclose His name to anyone in the OT. But in the New Testament (NT), Jesus explicitly calls God Father and tells us to use that name in prayer. Further, Christ gives us access to the Godhead through His own name. He says, “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you” (John 16:23).
On page 131 of The Ladder, Saint John Climacus writes: “With the name of Jesus flog the foes, because there is no stronger weapon in heaven or on earth.” Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov likewise says: “By the power of the name of Jesus the mind is freed from doubt, indecision and hesitation, the will is strengthened and correctness is given to zeal and other properties of the soul.“
As we engage in this prayer, it quiets our minds and dispels thoughts that distract us from God. God’s grace brings our minds back under control, so we can direct our lives toward achieving salvation.
Is reciting the prayer enough?
Unfortunately, no. The name of the Lord isn’t a magic wand that gives us what we desire and guarantees our salvation. In order to successfully use the Jesus Prayer, we must have an inner relationship with Christ. It takes far more work to have a relationship like that than simply reciting a prayer.
Saint Basil the Great explains what we must do beautifully:
But if someone claims that it is written: “whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved”, and that therefore a Christian need only invoke the name of God to be saved, let him read what the Apostle has said: “How can they call upon him if they do not believe in him?” And besides this there are the words of the Lord himself: “Not everyone who says, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).
St. Theophan the Recluse encourages us with these words,
At first this saving prayer is usually a matter of strenuous effort and hard work. But if one concentrates on it with zeal, it will begin to flow of its own accord, like a brook that murmurs in the heart. This is a great blessing, and it is worth working hard to obtain it.
Likewise, we read in the Philokalia:
As we pray the Jesus Prayer again and again, it becomes established in our hearts. In time the prayer rises to consciousness without effort on our part. In the midst of trouble, temptation, pain, anger, or frustration, this prayer makes us aware of God’s presence. As a result, we become prayer. We begin to worship and pray, not in our own words, nor in our own minds, but in the Spirit.
When to pray the Jesus Prayer
Typically, the Jesus Prayer is part of your prayer rule, which you should develop with the aid of your spiritual father. You should include the prayer in your morning prayer rule, for as many minutes as is beneficial to you spiritually. If morning does not work well because of your circumstances, you can also do this in the evening. Or better yet, do both!
That is the “formal” use of the Jesus Prayer. We also use the Jesus Prayer in an informal or free way, saying it at any and all other times of the day. While driving, doing the dishes, folding laundry, walking, lying awake at night, cleaning, eating, etc.
You should also invoke the name of the Lord whenever you feel anxious, concerned, or upset. Repeat the prayer over and over, verbally if it helps. It truly is remarkable how much calling out the name of Christ, and hearing Him respond, can comfort you.
This is why the Jesus prayer is the first thing that should be on our lips at all times. During times of trial, temptation, joy, sadness, anything and everything. Let’s not forget that the name of Jesus was given by God Himself, not man.It is especially helpful for those fighting the passion of depression.
Conclusion
In closing, we leave you with a quote from St. John Chrysostom:
A monk when he eats, drinks, sits, officiates, travels or does an other thing must continually cry: “Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me!” so that the name of the Lord Jesus, descending into the depths of the heart, should subdue the serpent ruling over the inner pastures and bring life and salvation to the soul. He should always live with the name of the Lord Jesus, so that the heart absorbs the Lord and the Lord the heart, and the two become one.
Read More: How To Maintain A Consistent Prayer Life
8 Responses
You wrote:
… in the New Testament (NT), Jesus explicitly calls God Father and tells us to use that name in prayer. Further, Christ gives us access to the Godhead through His own name. He says, “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you” (John 16:23).
As you say, Jesus told us to pray to the Father, and to reference Him (Jesus). Given Jesus’ instruction, should we pray to Jesus? (I understand that people called on Jesus while He was on earth and before He had given His instruction. But that was before.)
Thoughts?
George,
Christ is in our midst! Yes, we should pray to Jesus, for Jesus is God. He and the Father are One. God bless!
Why do Christians have to continually pray Christ have mercy, when the scriptures clearly state He has already given us mercy as in Ephesians 1? As a Christian we need simply to receive what Jesus Christ did on the cross and live it in spirit and in truth.
Danny,
Christ is in our midst! In the Orthodox Church, any iteration of “Lord, have mercy” is a declaration of humility, acknowledging our need for God’s compassion and forgiveness. This is not simply asking him to be merciful. Rather, it serves as a powerful reminder of our dependence on God and a plea for healing and restoration, both spiritually and physically. We repeat it so often to reflect the constant nature of this need and the belief that it is through God’s grace that we can overcome sin and find salvation. We say it for us, not for God. And we say it because this is what the Publican prayed, and what so many other Saints have prayed before us. God bless!
I have a question. how does a regular Orthodox Christian pray??? do they use mats??? when should we do prostrations??? I would like to know the correct and fruitful way to pray, conscious and fruit bearing!
Jack,
Thank you for your sincere and thoughtful questions! It’s always encouraging to see a desire to pray more deeply and authentically.
Orthodox Christians are encouraged to pray both in church (with the community) and at home (in private or with family). Daily prayer usually includes morning and evening prayers, and many also pray briefly before meals, at bedtime, and throughout the day. These prayers can be found in Orthodox prayer books and often involve psalms, prayers of thanksgiving, repentance, and requests for God’s help. Many of these prayer books are available on Amazon or elsewhere online.
Unlike some other faith traditions, Orthodox Christians do not typically use special prayer mats. Instead, it is common to set aside a small “prayer corner” or space in the home, where there are icons, a cross, perhaps a candle or lamp, and sometimes a prayer rope. This becomes a dedicated space for prayer and reflection. We wrote a post on how to set up a prayer corner in your home that we highly recommend giving a read.
Prostrations (full bows to the ground) and bows are traditional ways to express humility and repentance before God. They are commonly done during certain prayers, especially in Lent or during penitential seasons, and at specific moments in services or private prayer. The number and timing of prostrations can vary based on local custom, season, or personal spiritual guidance. Some evening and Lenten prayers include them, while they are generally omitted on Sundays and during festal periods.
Perhaps the most important thing is to pray with attention, humility, and sincerity. The Church encourages us to use the prayers given to us by the saints and tradition, but also to speak to God from the heart. Begin with a set of morning or evening prayers, and gradually add Psalms or the Jesus Prayer (“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner”) as you are able. Prayer is most fruitful when it is regular, honest, and combined with repentance and acts of love.
If you are new to Orthodox prayer, consider starting with a simple routine:
– Find or create a prayer corner.
– Set aside a specific time each day, even just a few minutes.
– Use a prayer book or the Jesus Prayer.
– Stand or bow as you are able; add prostrations during fasting seasons if possible.
– Speak with your spiritual father for personal guidance.
Remember, prayer is a lifelong journey. The best way to begin is simply to start, with the desire to draw near to God. With time, patience, and guidance, your prayer will become both conscious and fruit-bearing. God bless you!
I have trouble praying the Jesus prayer. I know it is supposed to silence my mind, but it never does!!! earworms and songs I listened to keep replaying in my mind and it is hard for me to find peace, even while praying the Jesus prayer. And I want to actual pray, rather than just say the words, so that the Jesus prayer may have a real effect and power over me! what do I do, in case I am met with songs that loop in my head, or other noise that disturbs my peace!
Jack,
Thank you for sharing this struggle so honestly. Many people, even those who have prayed for years, experience the same thing! The Jesus Prayer is a path to stillness, but the Church Fathers teach that achieving interior silence is a gradual process that takes time, patience, and a gentle spirit. When distractions, songs, or other thoughts arise during prayer, it doesn’t mean you’re failing. In fact, becoming aware of these distractions is already a step toward greater attentiveness.
One helpful approach is not to fight the noise or try to force your mind to be silent, but to gently return to the prayer — again and again — without frustration or self-judgment. St. Paisios and other elders often said that the mind is like a radio, picking up all sorts of “stations,” and that our task is simply to keep coming back to Christ with humility and persistence. If a song loops in your head, notice it, and softly return to “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.” Even if you must do this many times in a single prayer session, each return is itself a prayer and an act of love.
Remember, too, that the goal is not to achieve perfect silence, but to place yourself before God with honesty and longing. In time, as you continue, the heart learns to be still, but this is a gift that comes gradually. Be patient with yourself, and trust that God receives your prayer even when it feels distracted.
You might also find it helpful to create a quiet space, limit certain kinds of music before prayer, or begin with reading a psalm or short prayer to help settle your mind. But above all, approach the Jesus Prayer not as a performance, but as a way of being present with Christ, no matter what is going on inside. Keep going, and trust that God is at work in your heart, even through the noise. God bless!