The Jesus Prayer is a short invocation of mercy in the name of Jesus: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

The exact origins of the prayer are unclear, though it is often attributed to the tradition of Eastern Christianity, possibly via the Desert Fathers (early Christian ascetics who dwelled in Egypt). The prayer has been important to the traditions of both the Eastern Orthodox and the Eastern Catholic faithful. The text echoes the words of the publican in the parable from Luke 18:9-14, whose humble manner of prayer was praised by Jesus. Its short form and simple wording make it ideal for meditative prayer.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in paragraph 2667, highlights the Jesus Prayer, saying that “by it the heart is opened to human wretchedness and the Savior’s mercy.”

©LPi

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.”