The Jesus Prayer is a short prayer repeated slowly and lovingly: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” It comes from the cries for mercy in the Gospels and from the monks of the early Church, and it is beloved in both the Eastern and Western traditions as a way to “pray without ceasing.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church commends it by name. Below are its words and meaning, what the Church teaches about it, how to pray it, and its history.
The words of the Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Shorter forms are also used: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me,” or simply “Jesus.”
Its roots in the Gospels
The prayer joins two cries for mercy from St. Luke’s Gospel. The blind man of Jericho:
And he cried out, saying: Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me.
And the humble publican in the Temple:
And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O God, be merciful to me a sinner.
It also expresses St. Paul’s teaching on the power of the name of Jesus:
That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth:
And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.
What the Church teaches
The Catechism explains that “the invocation of the holy name of Jesus is the simplest way of praying always,” and that this prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us sinners,” developed in the tradition of prayer of the East (CCC 2667–2668). It combines the confession of who Jesus is with a humble request for his mercy.
How to pray the Jesus Prayer
- Sit quietly and become aware of God’s presence.
- Say the prayer slowly, aloud or silently, paying attention to the words.
- Many people link it to their breathing: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God” breathing in, “have mercy on me, a sinner” breathing out.
- Repeat it for a few minutes, gently returning to the words when your mind wanders.
- Use it during the day, while walking, working or waiting, in temptation or anxiety.
Some use a prayer rope (chotki or komboskini) with knots, much as Catholics use rosary beads.
A short history
The Desert Fathers of Egypt in the fourth and fifth centuries repeated short phrases from Scripture to keep their hearts fixed on God. In the Byzantine tradition this developed into the Jesus Prayer, treasured by the monks of Mount Athos and taught in the collection of spiritual writings called the Philokalia. A nineteenth-century Russian book, The Way of a Pilgrim, made it known around the world. Catholics in both the Eastern and Latin Churches pray it today.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Jesus Prayer Catholic?
Yes. It is part of the common tradition of the Church, especially in the Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Churches, and the Catechism recommends the prayer of the name of Jesus to all the faithful.
How often should I pray the Jesus Prayer?
As often as you like. Begin with five or ten minutes a day, and let it become a short prayer you return to throughout the day.
Is the Jesus Prayer a mantra?
No. A mantra is a technique; the Jesus Prayer is a personal cry to a Person, Jesus Christ, asking for his mercy with faith and love.
More ways to pray
- Psalm 70 (O God, come to my assistance)
- Pray without ceasing
- Litany of the Holy Name
- Lectio Divina
- The Daily Examen
- Catholic prayer for forgiveness
- Divine Mercy Chaplet
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Luke 18:13, 38; Philippians 2:10–11, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church 2665–2669.