The Jesus Prayer: The Ancient Desert Prayer That Tunes the Heart to God

In the earliest centuries of faith, Christians in the deserts of Palestine and Africa sought a short prayer that could be easily repeated, in order to acquire the habit of "prayer without ceasing." The result was The Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me." This jewel of Eastern Christianity aims at enabling a person to be in God's presence, rather than to focus on feelings or thoughts about God. The first section of The Jesus Prayer offers a concise overview of the history, theology, and spirituality of Orthodoxy, so that the Prayer can be understood in its native context. Following, is a conversational question-and-answer format that takes the reader through practical steps for adopting this profound practice in everyday life.

Author: Frederica Mathewes-Green
Publisher: Paraclete Press (MA)
Published: 11/01/2009
Pages: 181
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.50lbs
Size: 7.90h x 5.40w x 0.60d
ISBN13: 9781557256591
ISBN10: 1557256594
BISAC Categories:
- Religion | Christianity | Orthodox
- Religion | Christian Living | Prayer
- Religion | Devotional

About the Author

Frederica Mathewes-Green is a widely published author of 10 books and hundreds of essays in such diverse publications as the Washington Post, Christianity Today, Smithsonian, and the Wall Street Journal. She has been a regular commentator for National Public Radio (NPR), a columnist for the Religion News Service, Beliefnet.com, and Christianity Today, and a podcaster for Ancient Faith Radio. She is in high demand as a speaker. She lives with her husband, the Rev. Gregory Mathewes-Green, in Johnson City, TN. Their three children are grown and married, and they have fourteen grandchildren.