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The Jesus Prayer
The Jesus Prayer is the most popular devotional prayer in the Orthodox Church and increasingly popular in the West. A simple and direct method of invoking the mercy of Jesus Christ by repeating his Holy Name, it is a way of obeying St Paul’s instruction to “pray always”. In an increasingly noisy and frenetic world, the Jesus Prayer offers us an oasis of inner peace and a lifeline back to God.
56 pages, Paperback
First published January 20, 2014
About the author
Kallistos Ware
108 books288 followersHis Excellency, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia (also known by his lay name, Timothy Ware) is a titular metropolitan of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Great Britain. From 1966-2001, he was Spalding Lecturer of Eastern Orthodox Studies at Oxford University, and has authored numerous books and articles pertaining to the Orthodox Christian faith.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
June 3, 2025
Read on kindle. Easy, valuable read for me. Now I want to read more Orthodox related work.
December 3, 2020
Great little book on the subject, probably all most will ever need.
April 18, 2025
From page 1:
“‘Lord, teach us to pray’, the apostles said to Jesus (Lk 11: 1). It is a request that all of us make to God. How are we to enter into the mystery of living prayer? How can we advance from prayer repeated by our lips-from prayer as an external act-to prayer that is part of our inner being, a true union of our mind and heart with the Holy Trinity? How can we make prayer not merely something that we do, but something that we are? For that is what the world needs: not persons who say prayers from time to time, but persons who are prayer all the time.”
A marvelous, practical little primer on the Jesus Prayer, and prayer in general.
“‘Lord, teach us to pray’, the apostles said to Jesus (Lk 11: 1). It is a request that all of us make to God. How are we to enter into the mystery of living prayer? How can we advance from prayer repeated by our lips-from prayer as an external act-to prayer that is part of our inner being, a true union of our mind and heart with the Holy Trinity? How can we make prayer not merely something that we do, but something that we are? For that is what the world needs: not persons who say prayers from time to time, but persons who are prayer all the time.”
A marvelous, practical little primer on the Jesus Prayer, and prayer in general.
January 26, 2020
An excellent introduction to the practice of the Jesus Prayer by its foremost authority. A must read.
February 4, 2020
Something Missing
Just didn't read to a depth that gave me clarity. This was not a book I would refer to a scholarly minded person.
Just didn't read to a depth that gave me clarity. This was not a book I would refer to a scholarly minded person.
July 12, 2021
Super accessible, filled with grace, concise and clear. So much guidance and info in this book!
May 29, 2019
“Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.”
This prayer has been a deep well which has nourished many Christians through the centuries. Whether said in community or throughout your day, it helps keep your mind focused. This little book explains the history and way to practice the prayer. Highly recommended.
This prayer has been a deep well which has nourished many Christians through the centuries. Whether said in community or throughout your day, it helps keep your mind focused. This little book explains the history and way to practice the prayer. Highly recommended.
August 21, 2025
Comprehensive and compelling. Motivated to keep at 10min of the Jesus Prayer every morning, “into the silent land” and back out of stillness to sanctify the world!
“Acquire inner peace, and thousands around you will find salvation.” (St Seraphim of Sarov, quoted on p47)
“Acquire inner peace, and thousands around you will find salvation.” (St Seraphim of Sarov, quoted on p47)
March 12, 2020
Good short explanation of the Jesus Prayer from a primarily Eastern Orthodox standpoint. Would serve as a good preface to The Way of a Pilgrim.
May 26, 2019
Very helpful short booklet that covers probably all there is to say about the tradition and practice of the Jesus prayer.
Most important for me was the explanation in the beginning of the word 'mercy' that is used in the prayer. He writes; "‘Mercy’ signifies precisely the love of God, poured out to heal and restore."
My main problem with the Jesus prayer was always that it gave me associations with whimpering, fearfully begging for mercy. Such associations are decidedly unhelpful. But this booklet, breathing a very gentle and peaceful atmosphere, shows how it is really meant to help us focus with our heart on Jesus.
Note: here is a lecture by Kallistos Ware that also goes into the same material:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce4uf...
Update: I processed what I learned from this book in a cartoon plus text :
https://www.consideringlilies.nl/jesu...
https://www.consideringlilies.nl/jesu...
Most important for me was the explanation in the beginning of the word 'mercy' that is used in the prayer. He writes; "‘Mercy’ signifies precisely the love of God, poured out to heal and restore."
My main problem with the Jesus prayer was always that it gave me associations with whimpering, fearfully begging for mercy. Such associations are decidedly unhelpful. But this booklet, breathing a very gentle and peaceful atmosphere, shows how it is really meant to help us focus with our heart on Jesus.
Note: here is a lecture by Kallistos Ware that also goes into the same material:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce4uf...
Update: I processed what I learned from this book in a cartoon plus text :
https://www.consideringlilies.nl/jesu...
https://www.consideringlilies.nl/jesu...
June 8, 2019
As a Latin rite Catholic I don’t hear much about this prayer. We have the rosary while the east has the Jesus prayer. This is a nice introduction.
I’ve been wrestling with this prayer for a few years. The more time I spend with it the more I see the beauty. I love how it helps me to quiet myself. I also find it humbling.
I’ve been wrestling with this prayer for a few years. The more time I spend with it the more I see the beauty. I love how it helps me to quiet myself. I also find it humbling.
February 14, 2019
The best book I've read on the Jesus prayer!
Short, simple, yet profound. Excellent for laypeople. Would definitely recommend it to anyone who has been wanting to learn more about the Jesus prayer!
Short, simple, yet profound. Excellent for laypeople. Would definitely recommend it to anyone who has been wanting to learn more about the Jesus prayer!
September 15, 2024
The Jesus Prayer
Ware does an astounding job of explaining the Jesus Prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me” with small anecdotes on its history, the four strands that it emphasizes, and the psychological and spiritual meaning of it all. The name of Jesus is powerful, and pleading for mercy does not emphasize so much sin but a recognition of brokenness. The drive of the prayer is “not so much a mind stripped of images as a heart full of love” (10).
Silence creates a hesychast state which allows God to gaze at us. The simplest way of doing this prayer is being silent, repeating the prayer usually among breaths. This act is a reminder and living into the baptismal life.
Quotes:
“How can we make prayer not merely something that we do, but something that we are? For that is what the world needs: not persons who say prayers from time to time, but persons who are prayer all the time.” (3)
“To ask for divine mercy is not to be seen as something gloomy and exclusively penitential. While the cry for mercy certainly involves sorrow for sin, it speaks also of divine forgiveness. It affirms that God’s loving kindness and compassion are greater than my brokenness and guilt.” (5)
“The intellect requires of us imperatively some task that will satisfy its need for activity. For the complete fulfilment of its purpose we should give it nothing but the prayer Lord Jesus…” For intellect is always grasping for something, so we need to let it grasp for Jesus
“When using the Prayer, we seek to still our imagination. Instead of calling to mind incidents from the life of Christ, we dwell upon his total and immediate presence. When visual images occur, we set them aside. We do not engage in chains of reasoning or a string of resolutions. We think solely of Jesus himself.” (10)
““If I were a doctor,” said the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, “and were asked for my advice, I would say: Create silence!” Assailed by mobile phones and piped music, we are sorely in need of such a doctor. Silence-“the universal language”, as Fr Lawrence Freeman has described it-is one of the primary sources of our personhood, and without it we are not authentically human. In the words of Friedrich von Hügel, “Man is what he does with his silence.”(20)
“Silence in the religious sense signifies God-awareness. What matters in silence is not our external situation but our inner disposition. It is a matter, not of keeping our mouth shut, but of opening our heart to God.” (21)
“The whole purpose of the Christian life is precisely to experience actively this baptismal gift that has been already conferred upon us; to advance, that is, from grace present within us secretly and unconsciously, to grace at work within us “with full assurance and conscious awareness”, as Gregory put it. In our beginning is our end; we are to become what we are.” (41)
“An answer may be found in two aphorisms. The first is from St Seraphim of Sarov: “Acquire inner peace, and thousands around you will find salvation.” (47)
“We cannot truly change the world unless we have ourselves been changed by prayer.” (48)
Ware does an astounding job of explaining the Jesus Prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me” with small anecdotes on its history, the four strands that it emphasizes, and the psychological and spiritual meaning of it all. The name of Jesus is powerful, and pleading for mercy does not emphasize so much sin but a recognition of brokenness. The drive of the prayer is “not so much a mind stripped of images as a heart full of love” (10).
Silence creates a hesychast state which allows God to gaze at us. The simplest way of doing this prayer is being silent, repeating the prayer usually among breaths. This act is a reminder and living into the baptismal life.
Quotes:
“How can we make prayer not merely something that we do, but something that we are? For that is what the world needs: not persons who say prayers from time to time, but persons who are prayer all the time.” (3)
“To ask for divine mercy is not to be seen as something gloomy and exclusively penitential. While the cry for mercy certainly involves sorrow for sin, it speaks also of divine forgiveness. It affirms that God’s loving kindness and compassion are greater than my brokenness and guilt.” (5)
“The intellect requires of us imperatively some task that will satisfy its need for activity. For the complete fulfilment of its purpose we should give it nothing but the prayer Lord Jesus…” For intellect is always grasping for something, so we need to let it grasp for Jesus
“When using the Prayer, we seek to still our imagination. Instead of calling to mind incidents from the life of Christ, we dwell upon his total and immediate presence. When visual images occur, we set them aside. We do not engage in chains of reasoning or a string of resolutions. We think solely of Jesus himself.” (10)
““If I were a doctor,” said the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, “and were asked for my advice, I would say: Create silence!” Assailed by mobile phones and piped music, we are sorely in need of such a doctor. Silence-“the universal language”, as Fr Lawrence Freeman has described it-is one of the primary sources of our personhood, and without it we are not authentically human. In the words of Friedrich von Hügel, “Man is what he does with his silence.”(20)
“Silence in the religious sense signifies God-awareness. What matters in silence is not our external situation but our inner disposition. It is a matter, not of keeping our mouth shut, but of opening our heart to God.” (21)
“The whole purpose of the Christian life is precisely to experience actively this baptismal gift that has been already conferred upon us; to advance, that is, from grace present within us secretly and unconsciously, to grace at work within us “with full assurance and conscious awareness”, as Gregory put it. In our beginning is our end; we are to become what we are.” (41)
“An answer may be found in two aphorisms. The first is from St Seraphim of Sarov: “Acquire inner peace, and thousands around you will find salvation.” (47)
“We cannot truly change the world unless we have ourselves been changed by prayer.” (48)
November 30, 2017
A great introduction to a timeless prayer.
This brief introduction to the Jesus Prayer helpfully outlines its rationale, methods of practice, and what to expect when it is practiced. It contains helpful quotes from Christians in the east and helpfully explains the how one experiences the Trinity in prayer. The idea of short breath prayers is common in all strands of Christianity. Brother Lawrence, Frank Laubach, and Jonathan Edwards all used practices of that sort. This book outlines a version wherein we pray, "Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me."
For three dollars it's a tremendous bargain. I highly recommend it.
This brief introduction to the Jesus Prayer helpfully outlines its rationale, methods of practice, and what to expect when it is practiced. It contains helpful quotes from Christians in the east and helpfully explains the how one experiences the Trinity in prayer. The idea of short breath prayers is common in all strands of Christianity. Brother Lawrence, Frank Laubach, and Jonathan Edwards all used practices of that sort. This book outlines a version wherein we pray, "Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me."
For three dollars it's a tremendous bargain. I highly recommend it.
June 6, 2023
This short little book by Kallistos Ware, bishop and theologian of the Eastern Orthodox Church, teaches you the basics of the Jesus Prayer. It’s a highly effective prayer for all times as it centers your attention much like Hindu prayers or mantras do. Except this prayer obviously centers it on the person of Jesus Christ. Highly recommended to any Christian of any denomination (or any faith for that matter, we’re all trying to get closer to God no matter which religion). It’s good to get outside of your own particular Christian tradition and learn about the traditions of Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy if you’re a Protestant.
July 27, 2025
A beautiful book. Explaining that pray isn’t just about the words that are said. That prayer (esp. Jesus prayer) is about stillness and creating an inner peace by sitting in the presence of God. Allowing us to say the words and move the beads as to block any external distractions or thoughts that can take us out of solely focusing on Jesus. It is a prayer that can be found in scripture using through out church history to help strengthen prayer life and to turn to when we don’t know the words to say. A truly amazing book that has changed my outlook on the Jesus prayer.
July 30, 2018
Good overview of the Jesus Prayer
This is a great introduction to the Jesus prayer, especially for those who do not know someone with great experience in it. You definitely get the feeling that this is just the beginning of what you can learn about the prayer (and what it can teach you), but I think that’s the point. For the length, there’s enough detail to cover the most important aspects and get the reader started.
This is a great introduction to the Jesus prayer, especially for those who do not know someone with great experience in it. You definitely get the feeling that this is just the beginning of what you can learn about the prayer (and what it can teach you), but I think that’s the point. For the length, there’s enough detail to cover the most important aspects and get the reader started.
September 9, 2018
A Brief Introduction
This a brief primer on the use of the Jesus Prayer — a simple prayer widely used in Eastern Orthodoxy. The author discusses the history and use of the prayer in a way that is very simple and helpful. He writes: “The purpose of the Jesus Prayer, then, is to help us to discover directly and vividly how, by virtue of Baptism, we are Christ-bearers, sharing in his death and resurrection, and at the same time Spirit-bearers, aflame with the fire of Pentecost.”
This a brief primer on the use of the Jesus Prayer — a simple prayer widely used in Eastern Orthodoxy. The author discusses the history and use of the prayer in a way that is very simple and helpful. He writes: “The purpose of the Jesus Prayer, then, is to help us to discover directly and vividly how, by virtue of Baptism, we are Christ-bearers, sharing in his death and resurrection, and at the same time Spirit-bearers, aflame with the fire of Pentecost.”
July 17, 2021
Eminently Readable
I like the simplicity of the book. It can be finished in just a few readings, even if one’s reading speed is average. There are some theological references, but not overdone on the theology. It explains the Jesus Prayer in practical, clear terms the average layman can understand. This book is perfect for anyone new to the Jesús Prayer, with a great annotated bibliography at the end, for further study.
I like the simplicity of the book. It can be finished in just a few readings, even if one’s reading speed is average. There are some theological references, but not overdone on the theology. It explains the Jesus Prayer in practical, clear terms the average layman can understand. This book is perfect for anyone new to the Jesús Prayer, with a great annotated bibliography at the end, for further study.
December 14, 2025
A thoughtful read
I enjoyed the thought provoking nature of this book. It has solid advice, and different ways of seeing the prayer. It takes it in steps and is easy and clear to read. It has its roots in theology, in desert fathers, and makes it an exercise that people who believe on-air who are exploring- Jesus can actually practice it. And practice it in a thoughtful way. I've read a few books and articles on the subject, but this is my favourite.
I enjoyed the thought provoking nature of this book. It has solid advice, and different ways of seeing the prayer. It takes it in steps and is easy and clear to read. It has its roots in theology, in desert fathers, and makes it an exercise that people who believe on-air who are exploring- Jesus can actually practice it. And practice it in a thoughtful way. I've read a few books and articles on the subject, but this is my favourite.
July 28, 2023
Handy informative book on the way the Jesus Prayer is practiced and the significance of it. Gives historical info on its origins in the desert fathers, as well as practical uses such as through prayer rope and aligning breathing with the prayer. Feeling prepared to put praying without ceasing into practice
July 12, 2024
Informative, clear, and edifying
Kallistos Ware is a very clear writer which makes this book a very easy and enjoyable read. I recommend this balanced and thoughtful approach to prayer for anyone, Orthodox, Catholic, or Protestant, who is looking to enrich their prayer life or understand how the use of the Jesus prayer and prayer ropes.
Kallistos Ware is a very clear writer which makes this book a very easy and enjoyable read. I recommend this balanced and thoughtful approach to prayer for anyone, Orthodox, Catholic, or Protestant, who is looking to enrich their prayer life or understand how the use of the Jesus prayer and prayer ropes.
June 1, 2025
A good introduction to the practice
I am exploring different practices within the Christian faith and this book introduces me to the use of the Jesus Prayer. Kallistos Ware has said enough in this book what I need to understand about the Jesus Prayer and to begin the journey of practicing it.
I am exploring different practices within the Christian faith and this book introduces me to the use of the Jesus Prayer. Kallistos Ware has said enough in this book what I need to understand about the Jesus Prayer and to begin the journey of practicing it.
October 8, 2025
"If our words and actions do not come out of the stillness of prayer, they turn out to be superficial and impotent. But if they have their source in stillness, they can prove words and actions of fire and healing. We cannot truly change the world unless we have ourselves been changed by prayer"
Excellent book. Short. Highly recommend.
Excellent book. Short. Highly recommend.
March 9, 2018
Good Summary of the Jesus Prayer
Bishop Kallistos gives a very good explanation of the Jesus Prayer and how to use it. It is a simple but powerful practice, available to anyone. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to deepen their prayer life.
Bishop Kallistos gives a very good explanation of the Jesus Prayer and how to use it. It is a simple but powerful practice, available to anyone. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to deepen their prayer life.
April 7, 2019
Packed with helpful for our spiritual journey to God
This short text provides historical depth and understanding for this short prayer. The author is well versed in the history and spirituality of the prayer and lends many good insights into the fruits of this prayer.
This short text provides historical depth and understanding for this short prayer. The author is well versed in the history and spirituality of the prayer and lends many good insights into the fruits of this prayer.
May 24, 2020
A short, informative, readable introduction to the Jesus prayer ("Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner") and how it has evolved and been used in the contemplative tradition of prayer in the Eastern Orthodox church, but has a much wider appeal for many.
December 3, 2021
Excellent, All you need
A short quick read on the Jesus Prayer. As it should be, the Jesus Prayer is simple and anyone can pray it after the minimum of instruction and this book satisfies.
A short quick read on the Jesus Prayer. As it should be, the Jesus Prayer is simple and anyone can pray it after the minimum of instruction and this book satisfies.
January 2, 2022
Concise but deeply instructive
This isn’t a long book, but contains some beautiful insight into the use of the Jesus Prayer. It’s is deeply practical in its advice, but points the reader to the deeper goal of this prayer - practising the presence of God in all of life.
This isn’t a long book, but contains some beautiful insight into the use of the Jesus Prayer. It’s is deeply practical in its advice, but points the reader to the deeper goal of this prayer - practising the presence of God in all of life.
November 14, 2022
excellent summary
This is a clearly written, very helpful summary of the practice and spiritual usefulness of the Jesus Prayer. I found it freeing and encouraging interpretation of the classic expression of Orthodox spirituality.
This is a clearly written, very helpful summary of the practice and spiritual usefulness of the Jesus Prayer. I found it freeing and encouraging interpretation of the classic expression of Orthodox spirituality.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews