All the things the Jesus Prayer is.

All the Things this Sacred Prayer Is

This is the divine prayer of our Saviour, the holy epiclesis: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner." This sacred invocation is not only a prayer but also a vow and a profound confession of faith. It calls down the Holy Spirit and grants divine blessings. It purifies the heart, repels demons, and allows Christ to dwell within us. It is a source of spiritual insight, redeeming us from sin and bringing healing to both soul and body. It grants divine illumination and becomes a wellspring of God’s mercy, ushering in revelation and divine mystery through humility. This prayer is our sole salvation, for in it is the name of our God, the only name given for salvation—Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As the Apostle declares, there is no salvation in any other (Acts 4:12).

It is a prayer because through it we seek God’s mercy. It is a vow because, in calling upon Christ, we offer ourselves to Him. It is a confession, for Peter was declared blessed for this very confession (Mt 16:17). This prayer confers the Spirit, as “No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 12:3). It brings divine gifts, for Christ said to Peter, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 16:19). It purifies the heart, leading to the vision of God (Mt 5:8), and purifies those who call upon Him (2 Tim 2:22). It banishes demons, as they are vanquished by the name of Jesus Christ. It brings the indwelling of Christ, who fills us with joy as we recall Him, for, “I remembered God and was glad” (Ps 76:4).

This prayer is a fountain of spiritual wisdom, for Christ, the treasury of wisdom and knowledge, bestows these gifts on those in whom He dwells. It redeems from sin, for Christ proclaimed, “Whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Mt 18:18). It brings healing, for “In the name of Jesus Christ, arise and walk” (Acts 3:6) and “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you” (Acts 9:34).

Divine illumination flows from it, as Christ, the true light, grants His radiance to those who call on Him: “May the light of the Lord shine upon us” (Ps 89:17), and “He who follows me shall have the light of life” (Jn 8:12). It is a fountain of divine mercy, asking for God’s compassion, for the Lord “executes justice swiftly for those who cry to Him” (Lk 18:8).

It brings revelation and divine mysteries to the humble, as the Father in heaven revealed this to the fisherman, Peter, and Paul was taken up in Christ and granted revelations. This prayer is our salvation, as only through the name of Christ, our Savior, can we be saved (Acts 4:12). On the last day, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2:11).

This name is also the mark of our faith, by which we are called Christians and identified as being of God. For, “Every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God” (1 Jn 4:2), while the spirit that denies Him is not of God, but of Antichrist.

For this reason, all believers should ceaselessly confess this name, proclaiming their faith and expressing love for Jesus Christ, from which nothing should ever separate us. We confess this name for the grace, forgiveness, redemption, healing, sanctification, illumination, and ultimate salvation that it brings. The Apostles performed miracles and preached in this name. As the Evangelist declares, “These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, you may have life in His name” (Jn 20:31).

All Christians—whether clergy, monastics, or laypeople—are encouraged to pray in the name of Jesus Christ as often as possible, even if only at dedicated times.

Let every faithful person invoke the Lord’s name in continuous prayer, in heart and voice alike, whether standing, walking, sitting, or lying down, in every action and word. If one strives to do this consistently, they will experience profound peace and joy, as testified by those who practice this prayer. Though this discipline may be difficult for those active in worldly affairs, and even for some monastics, it is vital for all to devote at least set times for this practice and to establish a regular habit according to their strength—whether clergy, monastics, or laypeople.

Monastics, who are called to a life of prayer, should commit themselves to this prayer constantly, even amidst the duties of obedience, fulfilling their calling by praying ceaselessly, despite anxieties, distractions, or what they refer to as “the captivity of the mind.” When they struggle, they should persist and rejoice upon returning to prayer.

Clergy should devote themselves to this prayer as an apostolic mission, as it proclaims the Gospel, performs God’s work, and embodies the love of Christ.

Laypeople are encouraged to say this prayer as frequently as possible, for it serves as a seal upon them, a mark of faith, a source of sanctification, and protection from all temptation.

Thus, it is essential for all—clergy, lay, and monastics—to begin each day with this prayer, offering it to Christ as a sacrifice, the first thought of the day. We must remember that it is Christ who saved us and loved us. This is why we are Christians, sealed in baptism, and have received His holy body and blood. We are His members, His temple, clothed in His grace, and in this awareness, we should love and remember Him always. Let everyone dedicate at least some time to this prayer daily, praying it according to their strength as a sacred duty.

First, we should understand that prayer is the work of angels. Being a divine act, the Church is wholly devoted to it. While acts of charity, service, and sacrifice bring us closer to God, prayer alone brings us directly into God’s presence and unites us to Him. To pray is to be with God as a friend, to converse, confide, and be one with Him. Prayer, therefore, must be constant, like that of the angels, for it is the one thing God asks of us: to be mindful of Him, seek Him, love Him, and look to Him so we may receive what is His in purity. Yet, because we are bound by flesh and its needs, it is difficult to pray without ceasing, therefore constantly practise praying the Jesus prayer as taught by St. Symeon of Thessalonica.