The Jesus Prayer

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

On the lips of Christians since the Desert Fathers, this prayer is by far one of the most powerful and important prayers in Christianity. The prayer has a dual nature- one being a cry for mercy, the other being an affirmation of one's faith in Jesus Christ. Praying "Lord Jesus Christ" testifies to the Kingship of Christ - that is, testifying that Christ is the Supreme All-Ruler, Lord of all things Spiritual and Temporal, but more importantly, the King of one's soul. Praying "Son of the Living God" testifies to one's belief that Christ is the long-awaited Messiah promised to Israel and prophesied by the Prophets.

In addition, when praying on a chotki- or prayer rope- one prays "O Most Holy Theotokos, save us" on the divider beads. It is said that Heaven is unattainable without the aid of the Mother of God, "Help of Christians", and thus it is most fitting to beseech Her aid alongside Her Son's. 

The prayer is meant to be said either mentally or verbally and is to be repeated endlessly- however, it is important never to say it in haste or to allow it to become a mere rote recitation of this most ancient and holy prayer.

Although the prayer is today indigenous to Eastern Christianity, Latin-Rite Christians may by all means make use of this prayer, as it is universal. The Holy Apostle Paul instructs Christians to
"pray without ceasing", and by use of this prayer, along with the Holy Rosary one can fulfill that instruction with relative ease.