The new edition of the Book of Common Worship came out a few weeks ago. On page 448 of the “Daily Prayer” edition is a paragraph called “Contemplative Prayer.” Here we find the brief text of the classic Jesus Prayer, followed by a succinct history and explanation.
Thus finally emerges, more or less officially, into the Reformed tradition a core practice of Eastern Orthodox spirituality, one that has the power to transform individuals and the whole church.
The Jesus Prayer, in its most common form, has 12 words (in English): “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
I have personally used this prayer regularly in my own spiritual life since I discovered it about 40 years ago. It has been my mantra, my refuge, my lifeline, and my bedrock. It is the home in which I rest, especially when everything around me is disintegrating. It is my castle.
There are times now that my mind will clear of the extraneous detritus and chatter, and I will discover the prayer already there, flowing on in some subterranean level of my soul, like a clear stream. Its flow reassures me of its, and therefore my, ultimate connection to the Sea of God’s infinite compassion.
The prayer is not magic. It will not protect and preserve one from all confusion or harm. It hasn’t done that for me, at any rate. My mortal existence still has many characteristics of a train wreck. But the prayer sort of functions like the reminder and hope that Jesus gives in the second phrase of each beatitude. That is where we hear, balancing and blessing the losses and the offerings, about the comforts and rewards of God’s Kingdom.
The prayer is ultimately about mercy. Not in the sense of a retribution withheld, though there is that, God knows. But this is more the mercy that spreads like a safety net beneath us all, the outflow of compassion that holds the world in a strong embrace, the divine love at the heart of all things.
Most importantly, it is not a prayer of lack or scarcity. It does not ask for something we do not have. But it asks that I rest in the Truth of a love that is already here and everywhere, but which I usually don’t see.
Finally, the prayer is a repetition of the Name of Jesus. The shortest version of the prayer is simply that, “Jesus.” He is the One who embodies and expresses God’s love, pouring it into our hearts by the Spirit. We are praying for his Presence to awaken within us as our true selves. We are praying to become who we really and most deeply are, finding our True Humanity in him by his Name.
So, here it is, Presbyterians. The Jesus Prayer. It’s the almost absurdly uncomplicated doorway to Life. Use it.
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