The Jesus Prayer
The Jesus Prayer
Lent is a hard season to love, isn’t it? I much prefer an expectant and joyful Advent. Six weeks of no alleluias and either giving something up or taking something on and I’m just not very good at that. Plus the whole “spring forward” daylight savings time thing is always thrown in the mix and that really messes me up!
But what Lent reminds me of is the circle of life, and I’m not just saying that because I saw The Lion King last month. (Which was wonderful, by the way. Thanks, mom!) No, what I mean is that we are never just one thing in life. Everything has its ebbs and flows. We move into and out of light and dark, joy and sorrow, ups and downs, peaks and valleys. To expect that life is always light or good or easy is just fooling ourselves. Lent is the shadowy and hushed time that falls into every life.
Lent is a season I need to sit with. I need to feel it and not rush to its conclusion. It’s a time to think about the meaning of these six weeks. They lead to an event that is unique in history so I need to be mindful of the events that lead to it. There were encounters in Jesus’ life that set certain outcomes into action. There were people around him who wanted the status quo and nothing about Jesus’ life, teaching and ministry was status quo. He was speaking about a great reversal, a last-is-first perspective, and the folks who were in first place with privilege and power didn’t want this new worldview to catch on.
As much as may want to put myself in the story as a faithful disciple, the truth is, I’m not. I can be hot, cold, or lukewarm. I can affirm and I can deny, just like Peter, our Lenten guide. This is why I’d like to share a prayer practice with you that seems fitting for Lent. This is a practice that brings our prayer from our head down into our heart. Richard Rohr says, “It’s not the words themselves as much as the rhythmical repetition that localizes on one in the heart.”
This is called The Jesus Prayer…
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.
You may draw in your breath as you say, “Lord Jesus Christ.” Then hold your breath as you say, “Son of God.” Then release your breath as you say, “Have mercy on me.”
Greek Orthodox author Frederica Mathewes-Green has this to say about The Jesus Prayer:
“God doesn’t need [reminders from us] to be merciful; [God] is merciful all the time, even when we don’t ask. But unless we make a habit of asking for mercy, we forget that we need it. . . . “Prayer of the heart” occurs when the Prayer moves from merely mental repetition, forced along by your own effort, to an effortless and spontaneous self-repetition of the Prayer that emanates from the core of your being, your heart. You discover that the Holy Spirit has been there, praying, all along. Then heart and soul, body and mind, memory and will, the very breath of life itself, everything that you have and are unites in gratitude and joy, tuned like a violin string to the name of Jesus.”
I hope this is a helpful practice for you. Feel free to share below any practices that you’ve found helpful during Lent. Are you good at giving something up or taking something on? How does Lent make you feel? I’m curious about your experience of this curious season.
Go make peace, my friends.
Pastor Leanne
Community Presbyterian Church
32202 Del Obispo
San Juan Capistrano. CA 92675
949-493-1502