The Jesus Prayer

by A Monk of the Eastern Church

To pronounce the name of Jesus in a holy way is an all-sufficient and surpassing aim for any human life... We are to call to mind Jesus Christ until the name of the Lord penetrates our heart, descends to its very depths... The Name of Jesus, once it has become the center of our life, brings everything together. So writes the "Monk of the Eastern Church&" in the course of the present work. To those who wonder how such claims can be advanced on behalf of the Jesus Prayer, and how it is that this particular way of praying continues to appeal so powerfully to contemporary Christians, Eastern and Western, Orthodox and non-Orthodox, this short book provides an answer. Starting with the veneration of the Holy Name in the Old and the New Testament, the author traces the gradual development of the Jesus Prayer first in Byzantium and then in the Slav lands. He concludes with practical suggestions for its use today, showing how it is a prayer not only of the past but equally for the twentieth century. Indeed, there are good reasons to believe that the "way of the name," as he call it, is being followed by more Christians in our own day than ever before - a striking sign of hope in an age of anxiety. Simple yet profound, this book reveals to us the secret of the continuing attraction exercised by the Jesus Prayer. Since its first appearance some thirty-five years ago, it has become a minor "classic" of the spiritual life, and it still remains the best introduction to the subject.

120 pages, Paperback

Published September 13, 2018

Reviews

[Alan Rogers]

A short, easy to comprehend introduction to the history of the Jesus Prayer, the various practices associated with it, and how to adopt it into your prayer life.

The author is mildly controversial for a few reasons, but those reasons do not permeate the text in any significant way. Any historical or theological issues are concisely cleared up by the notes in the SVS editions (I'm unsure if any other version is available). A clear delineation is drawn between what practices are appropriate for a layman, and what should only be practiced under the supervision and guidance of an experienced spiritual father.

The history of the prayer itself, it's progenitors and it's various forms take up about the first half of the book. I'd argue that this provides a much fuller understanding and appreciation of the prayer, but if history isn't your thing, this can be skipped.

Overall, it was edifying. I feel like this should be recommended as a primer for the Way of a Pilgrim, given how often that book is recommended to inquirers/catechumen. This book will only improve the experience reading the other, and prevent any potential misconception or anxiety regarding adopting the prayer in your spiritual life.

[Summer Cromartie]

Well, boo. I love the Jesus prayer, and this book was repeatedly recommended by other books; however, what did I expect from a twelve-word prayer turned into a 110-page book? Basically it's a TON of background and history and talk of how people have used it throughout the world, and brother, it felt more like a boring history book than anything related to such a lovely prayer. I think a little history is fine, but I wanted more life-changing stuff, even stories of other people's lives changing. I would rather have 100 pages of stories and even how-tos in boring detail rather than place and date stamps. Disappointing.

[Ted]

A detailed and scholarly study of the history of the Jesus prayer and some of the controversies surrounding its use. In the intro to the book Metropolitan Kallistos says that the book makes a couple of controversial claims about history which the historical evidence doesn't support. The book is about historical minutia which didn't interest me.