-Matthew 16:15-17
"And behold two blind men sitting by the way side, heard that Jesus passed by, and they cried out, saying: O Lord, thou son of David, have mercy on us. And the multitude rebuked them that they should hold their peace. But they cried out the more, saying: O Lord, thou son of David, have mercy on us."
-Matthew 20:30-31
"And as he entered into a certain town, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off; And lifted up their voice, saying: Jesus, master, have mercy on us."
-Luke 17:12-13
"Bartimeus the blind man, the son of Timeus, sat by the way side begging. Who when he had heard, that it was Jesus of Nazareth, began to cry out, and to say: Jesus son of David, have mercy on me. And many rebuked him, that he might hold his peace; but he cried a great deal the more: Son of David, have mercy on me."
-Mark 10:46-48
"And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O god, be merciful to me a sinner. I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather than the other: because every one that exalteth himself, shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted."
-Luke 18:13-14
"Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God."
-1 John 4:15
"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God."
"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God."
-1 John 5:1
If there is a prayer that summarizes all the New Testament story of man's relationship with God and his plee for its restoration, it is the Jesus Prayer:
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
It is an act of faith, confessing that Jesus is the Christ, our Saviour, and the Son of God. It is an act of hope, putting our trust in Christ, Who is our mercy and redemption. It is an act of humility, admitting that I myself am the sinner and am in need of mercy. It is short and memorable. It recalls our need for Christ and makes us aware of his presence in our lives.
It can be prayed always and anywhere and repeated with added fervour, like the blind men who, when rebuked, only cried louder.
Here are some ideas for when you can pray the Jesus Prayer:
If there is a prayer that summarizes all the New Testament story of man's relationship with God and his plee for its restoration, it is the Jesus Prayer:
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
It is an act of faith, confessing that Jesus is the Christ, our Saviour, and the Son of God. It is an act of hope, putting our trust in Christ, Who is our mercy and redemption. It is an act of humility, admitting that I myself am the sinner and am in need of mercy. It is short and memorable. It recalls our need for Christ and makes us aware of his presence in our lives.
It can be prayed always and anywhere and repeated with added fervour, like the blind men who, when rebuked, only cried louder.
Here are some ideas for when you can pray the Jesus Prayer:
- When driving to work
- When taking a shower
- While waiting in line at the DMV
- While jogging
- While waiting for the laundry
- While fishing
- When you're at a loss for words in an awkward conversation
- While waiting in line at the supermarket
- During silent intervals at Mass
- While crocheting or knitting
- While hunting
- While waiting in line at the post office
- When trying to control your anger
- When trying to control your bladder
- When driving home from work
- While taking out the garbage
- While mowing the lawn
- While waiting in line for Communion
- While cooking dinner
- While trying to fall asleep
