A wonderful prayer enjoyed around the world is known as the beloved Jesus Prayer. It has often been called "the Prayer of the Heart." This prayer has been cherished by people over centuries, cultures and in many different languages. The prayer is very simple and rooted in Scripture.

One who had "missed the mark" prayed "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" (Luke 18:13) Another biblical writer said "Pray without stopping" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). A sermon was preached in the early church that "there is no other name under heaven .... By which we must be saved" (Acts 4:10, 12).

We can prepare ourselves for praying this marvelous prayer. It may be an unexpected spiritual blessing for some readers. The basic idea of the prayer is to pray constantly with a special attention to God. The prayer is prayed throughout the day as we go about our daily lives and chores. The prayer is a formula that is prayed again and again and again. With time and practice, many find a natural rhythm of prayer with their breathing and heartbeat.

Many have found Orthodox icons helpful in their prayer. These silent pictures speak to us without words and do much good. People from many different faith traditions are reclaiming icons as part of their spiritual formation. One of the most famous Russian icons known as the icon of "tender loving-kindness". A marvelous icon web page resource with many online icons is available at The Orthodox Page. Growing numbers of Internet users simply pray with their computer icons and experience much grace.

This reverent repetition has four basic elements as described in the Orthodox Church:

1. Devotion to the Holy name of Jesus is a source of power and grace.

2. We appeal for divine mercy with inward grief and repentance.

3. Frequent repetition is a spiritual discipline of value.

4. The repetition can lead for inner silence or stillness that is one form of imageless, contemplative prayer.

The Jesus Prayer is: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

We have much joy to reclaim through saying the name of Jesus Christ. Simply saying the names of Jesus Christ can bring great joy and confidence to us in all of life's circumstances. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God. Try saying it again and again and again. Humble people of faith and seekers throughout the centuries have fallen in love with Jesus Christ through this prayer. If any seek to change some of the words to be more inclusive, try "Master Jesus Christ, Child of God!" It's a wonderful prayer which can help us in spiritual cleansing and personal transformation. It's our spiritual heritage to reclaim as Christians. No one can ever take Jesus Christ away from us.

If the Jesus Prayer touches your spirit, a wonderful book to read is The Way of a Pilgrim, translated by Helen Bacovic (Doubleday Image Books). The Pilgrim is an anonymous nineteenth-century wayfarer as he wanders over mother Russia in search of the answer to the one compelling question: How does one pray constantly? He shares his pilgrimage and deep joy when his search turns up an unexpected treasure: the "Jesus Prayer." The Pilgrim is "Everyman." Another helpful book is Thirsty for God, A Brief History of Christian Spirituality by Bradley P. Holt (Augsburg Press: Minneapolis, 1993).

May the God of tender loving-kindness bless your prayer experience. May you be surprised by joy.

The author of this material is "Surprised by Joy" (surprisedbyjoy@yahoo.com). "Surprised by Joy" is an ordained UFMCC Christian minister who discovered that God is wonder-full to be with. It is our hope and prayer at soulfoodministry.org that all visitors will experience the tender loving-kindness of God and receive spiritual food for their journey.