The Jesus Prayer: The Ancient Desert Prayer that Tunes the Heart to God

by Frederica Mathewes-Green

In the earliest centuries of faith, Christians in the deserts of Palestine and Africa sought a short prayer that could be easily repeated, in order to acquire the habit of "prayer without ceasing.” The result was The Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me."

This jewel of Eastern Christianity aims at enabling a person to be in God's presence, rather than to focus on feelings or thoughts about God.

The first section of The Jesus Prayer offers a concise overview of the history, theology, and spirituality of Orthodoxy, so that the Prayer can be understood in its native context. Following, is a conversational question-and-answer format that takes the reader through practical steps for adopting this profound practice in everyday life.

Genres: Christianity, Religion, Spirituality, Christian, Prayer, Nonfiction, Theology

196 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the profoundest books I've ever read on religion. I'm not Orthodox, but there's so much good stuff in this book for anyone thinking about the differences between Eastern and Western spirituality. Non-combative, intensely smart, truly a great read.

[Matthew Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent resource for those interested in the Jesus Prayer (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me) and how to begin praying it regularly. Mathewes-Green is clear that what matters isn't knowing more about God but rather knowing God, and she's helped me see why the Jesus Prayer is such an excellent and time-tested means of cultivating friendship with him. I was both challenged and encouraged by this book, and I'm sure I'll turn to it again as I seek to practice what I've learned.

"The Jesus Prayer is designed to help you, day by day, turn your face into this blazing love of God. It helps us perceive that God is truly "everywhere present and filling all things"; he is above and below and through us, and within every person we meet. It helps us realize that even though he knows us uncomfortably well, he loves us with a relentless, transforming love."

[Jane G Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really a well written and extremely informative little book about this ancient prayer. I recorded a review of this book on Ancient Faith Radio...

[Luke T · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good primer on the Jesus Prayer that I was assigned for catechesis (I am a catechumen in the Orthodox Church). I was surprised by how moving it was, especially the sections that mentioned Romanian priests and what they suffered under the communists. Highly recommended.

[Daniel Gutierrez · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are aspects, most especially in the Q & A section that aren’t helpful, from my perspective, to jumping in. Some of it is repetitive and some issues tangential as they tackle one’s image of God or misunderstandings contending prayer that is repeated. I feel most fundamental grounding was done concisely in the first section. I just wanted practical in the Q&A. Overall, a great intro by a clearly serious woman of faith.

[Scipio Africanus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. Recommend for all Orthodox Christians, and for those curious. I love the Jesus prayer.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a lover of the Jesus prayer. It’s right with the rosary for me.

Luke 18 Christ says to pray always. This may be the best way.

[Ali M · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the surface the Jesus Prayer seems so simple. It is not. Never fear, the wonderful Frederica Mathewes-Green guides us on a path to understanding (or at least to the start of that path).

I have never felt comfortable with free-form prayer of the Protestant variety. It seems too showy, too much about the speaker and not enough about God and our pleas to Him and praise of Him. Perhaps this is one of the things that drew me to Orthodoxy – the structure and sure guidance of established prayers. Not only do the ancient prayers of the Orthodox Church give me words for the things I cannot even begin to formulate on my own, they are time-tested and true.

This is especially so with the Jesus Prayer. The simple lines of the prayer offer truth, simplicity and relationship with God. It takes time and diligence to get there though. It can be disheartening to practice this prayer and feel like you are never getting beyond the rote. FMG, however, offers not only encouragement but practical guidance on how to proceed. I am so grateful for this as I toe the gravel at the beginning of the path and feel like I’m making no progress along it.

I may not have tuned in my “nous” to direct experience of God yet, but practicing this prayer daily has impacted my behavior in the world and makes me more conscious of my thoughts and actions. This is a necessary first step, necessary preparation for the prayer to work. I’m painfully conscious of how far I have to go, and the process of necessary self-reflection can itself be painful. Even so, I am glad of the chance to try and for FMG’s helpful book.

[Jim George · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author does an incredible job of introducing the history of the Jesus Prayer. She explains how to put it's truths to work in your life. The simplicity and profound faith awakening possibilities are thoroughly explained. During the 2-3-4 centuries mystics moved out into the deserts, to be alone with God. These desert brothers and sisters throughout time banded together in monasteries to continue their lives of worship. This prayer was developed by these spiritual mystics, anyone who is ready, can become closer to the Lord by continually reciting this heartfelt prayer. God is in the very matrix of reality, at the boundary between energy and matter, and all creation exists in Him.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkably well written, clearly honest book about a Western woman's experience practicing the Jesus Prayer. Green gives a lot of great advice to Western Christians about its history, use, and effective techniques from her own experience. I really enjoyed the depth of her commitment to Christ which shines through every page.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally anything by Frederica Mathewes-Green is worth reading.

[Aaron White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extraordinarily helpful book. The focus, as per the title, is on the Jesus Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me (a sinner). Mathewes-Green does a wonderful job of making this prayer and its ancient practice as accessible as possible, without dumbing it down or watering down its challenge and power. She employs Scripture, sayings of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, contemporary monks and nuns, and her own faltering practice of The Prayer to demonstrate how we may be drawn more deeply into the union with God for which we were created. She does not hesitate to confess where she doesn't understand or hasn't yet experienced something that a spiritual athlete has said about The Prayer, nor does she shrink back from highlighting her own difficulties at keeping her mind, heart and nous focused upon Jesus and His mercy. The book begins with an explanation of terms and some foundational background for The Prayer, and then concludes with a series of questions which Mathewes-Green herself had and which have been addressed to her by others. She answers these questions (to the best of her ability and with the proviso that much of this is mystery and beyond explanation, and even beyond experience outside of full immersion within the Orthodox Church) with grace, patience, humour and love. This is an excellent book on prayer.

[Marcas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second book by the author and this one was just as wonderful as the last, thank God. (Welcome to The Orthodox Church is the other)

Richly descriptive and detailed; Frederica has drawn from experience, the tradition and other realms to share wisdom about the Prayer. She analogises exceptionally well and has a deep view of history, which prevents any undue shallowness or flippant.

A major achievement of this book is in her illuminating the Prayer as integral to the entire worldview of The Orthodox Way- Copiously sharing Bible verses and writings from the Saints to display this clearly.

Finally, this is suitable for the scholar or the beginner and both will be nourished. One to read and re-read, all round.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that I wish I had read when I was younger (and prevent so many false assumptions and mistakes). It's certainly one that I'm going to have to acquire for my personal library (having only borrowed this). And few books on faith have affected me so deeply or profoundly as this one. It's neither overly heady---nor feel-good fluffy. It's education as well as encouraging, but honest at times. The writing is warm and friendly and yet so full of wisdom. I'm Protestant and I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to deepen their faith--the author shares her beliefs, but does not expect the audience to be from her background.

[Paige Isom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply thorough in explaining the purpose and practice of the Jesus Prayer. This is a launching point for the discipline. The Q&A format is helpful and covers broad topics around the prayer and Orthodoxy. Reader friendly. As an Orthodox Christian, I wish the author would stick to Orthodoxy. She sometimes veers off into other religious traditions, which isn't necessary and is distracting. However, she appears to be attempting to address a wider audience, which isn't a bad thing. But I'm not interested in Eastern thought, traditions or other Christian branches. This doesn't necessarily detract from the overall value of her book and can help non Orthodox readers better understand Orthodoxy.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Overview of an Ancient Prayer

Matthews Green gives a good overview of the Jesus Prayer. Those who are not Orthodox may feel a bit lost, and those who shy away from mysticism may be baffled. While there is nothing other worldly about the Prayer, it will probably take some getting use to. Green gives good advice on making the Prayer a part of one's spiritual life.

[Brian Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

A superb introduction to the ancient meditation called The Jesus Prayer, as it arose in Eastern Christianity and has become better appreciated and, also, practiced in the last decades in the West among Christians of varied sects. This is a form of mantra mediation, to still mind and body and encourage resting in and openness to divine Presence in quietness.

[Cal Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite notes and quotes from the book;

"Every failure can be turned to gold, if it increases your humility"

"When you’re in the grey sea of Alzheimer’s the prayer will still be there, keeping your hands clasped in the hand of the Lord"

Utterly known yet unconditionally loved

St seraphim of sarov - "Acquire a peaceful spirit, and around you thousands will be saved."

"Many find that what they thought of as the most pure and spiritual part of themselves is, in reality, riddled with crafty pride and worse"

2 cor 11:14
"As always it’s better to remind yourself that no heavenly manifestation would be visible to someone as steeped in sin as yourself"

"Humility is born of failure"

"We go to heaven together and hell alone"

"Saying the Jesus prayer will teach you how to say the Jesus prayer"

"Intercession much better done with a quality of listening and gazing then a hammering sort of way"

always have the attitude that you are just a beginner at prayer - humility

"The kind of person Christ will make you is someone the world will not even notice, much less admire"

"Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is humble love for his enemies and even if this is the only virtue you have then you have it in pure gold"

"The internet conditions us for restlessness"

Devil wants to muddy up the waters with mediums as to not prove the spiritual world

"When you say to yourself they are thinking about me, you know this is from the devil"


Don’t feel guilty for intrusive thoughts from the enemy even Christ got them

"Flog your enemies(spiritual) with the name of Jesus"

Presence of God to the sorrows of the world and repeat until death

"Loneliness is a side effect of the consumerist quest for autonomy"

[Monique Mathiesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough and practical book on both the history of the Jesus prayer and how to use it.

As Fr Nikolai Vedernikov says, “This short prayer – “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner” – contains our entire Orthodox confession of faith; all dogma is built on it. If you say it attentively, then the Lord will gradually purify your inner world.”

[Aidan Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to the practice and theology of the Jesus Prayer. I didn't care much for the Q&A format that takes up the majority of the book, but even so, Mathewes-Green packs in a lot of theology and spirituality into her answers.

[Nat (Photini) C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of the best books I’ve ever read on purposeful prayer. This is a prayer that is so, so precious to me.
Stick with her throughout the entire book and the end is the best, especially when answering questions.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book during Lent and read through it slowly. There is much to think about and practice here. Surrounded as I am by Orthodox believers here in the Middle East, this is much I can learn from them.

[Lyndon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may look back on this discussion of the Jesus Prayer and find it to be one of the most impactful and practical books on spirituality and prayer I've ever read.

[William Tu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good introduction to the Jesus Prayer. Plus, in the Question and Answer section (Part 2), she mentions a lot of very good spiritual advice. This is a very good book for a beginner.

[Grant Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super concise, readable, and yet thorough introduction to the practice of the Jesus Prayer.

[Vivian Lea Solek · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've never read the author before, this is classic Matthewes-Green. So approachable for laity! A great read!

[Rachel Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe I will always give 5 stars to anything written by Frederica Mathewes-Green. I learned so much from this book and I appreciate her insight!

[Alfred Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. Obviously I would have a few minor reservations due to my Protestant tradition. Yet, I still enjoyed it as I learned a lot from the OE about what it means to pray without ceasing.

[NormaCenva · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me it was one on the books that change your perspective on a subject. Before I thought that the Jesus Prayer was something only Monks & Nuns can do. But reading through the pages I was now only unable to put the book down but also was growing in the strength on the conviction, that the path of Orthodox Christian spirituality is also for me as well. Another pleasant thing about the book for me was, that it was in my opinion directed to women more then on men audience. it is a reality in any book that touches upon Theology in any was, some times it seems that they are written only with men in mind. Not this book! A delightful time consumer that I like to re-read from time to time.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for a couple of reasons chief of which is the re-introduction it gave me to the practice of "the Jesus Prayer." Along with that was the interesting profile given to Orthodox Christianity. Ms. Mathewes-Green is a bright and more than capable writer. I hope to read more of her writing soon. I find aspects of Orthodox theology appealing and want to better understand it but its church practice presents obvious cultural hurdles for most American evangelicals. I would have liked the author to share more about how she has handled that as a "convert." I realize that is a story for another book of which she has several.