Jesus Prayer

<p>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 <em>The Jesus Prayer</em>: 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 <em>The Jesus Prayer</em> 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.</p>