Comments on: Christian Life Skills. The Jesus prayer Pray without ceasing. New Testament Challenge and the Jesus Prayer Challenge

By: seraphimholland

seraphimholland — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:08:07 +0000

What an excellent way to explain simple prayer:

“In thinking further about this, I am reminded of the prayer of St. Symeon, the New Theologian. At first he prays, “Grant me to say boldly that which I desire, O my Christ.” And then it seems that on second thought, he decides to simply cast himself on the mercy of the Lord and surrender his will to the will of God, as he prays “Or rather teach me what I ought to do and say.” Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner!”

I am with Natalia about why simple things are hard to do – we are not simple. A fundamental dogma about God is that He is simple.

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By: Natalia Arzhantseva

Natalia Arzhantseva — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:34:21 +0000

I’ve got an idea: Because we are too complicated, I am – definitely. It takes us many years & effort to get rid of this “complexity”, which cuts us out from God. Complexity = sins, dirty thoughts, passions, fears, suspicion…to be continued:-(( All this part us from Heaven, and actually ruin us from inside, dividing us into parts, often contradicting with each other.
While God is simple. Absolutely unified. Indivisible. His teaching thus is simple, presented in simple words. His wonders are simple as well. Everything about Him is simple.
The problem for us is that our complexity has in most cases nothing to do with His simplicity. This is why it’d so hard for us to do very simple things. When we succeed slowly-slowly in throwing off our “excess luggage” of complexities, we’d be able gradually to grasp His simplicity. And do these simple things, accordingly. It’ll not be difficult for us, as we’ll be simpler ourselves, and thus closer to our simple, loving Lord.

May God help me in this!

By: Deborah

Deborah — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:26:31 +0000

Father, Bless,
“We can also teach ourselves to pray this prayer when we are getting ready to speak to someone about a difficult thing, or feeling anger rise up within us because of this or that thing.”

This is extremely helpful advice. Thank you. I had heard that one should make the sign of the cross in difficult circumstances or feeling anger rise–but the addition of the Jesus prayer, in these situations, I now see, is crucial.

I have been thinking about the usefulness of praying for specific things and the value of simply praying the Jesus Prayer. I see evidence in scripture of praying for specifics and even instructions to do so. I have found that the Jesus prayer is helpful even in praying for specifics. When I am troubled and concerned about a specific issue or request, I can pray the Jesus prayer and the complexity of the situation disappears in the light of the Lord’s mercy. Perhaps this is what St. Paul meant when he said “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

In thinking further about this, I am reminded of the prayer of St. Symeon, the New Theologian. At first he prays, “Grant me to say boldly that which I desire, O my Christ.” And then it seems that on second thought, he decides to simply cast himself on the mercy of the Lord and surrender his will to the will of God, as he prays “Or rather teach me what I ought to do and say.” Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner!

By: Nicholas

Nicholas — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:08:01 +0000

Why is it that the most important and necessary things in life are always simple to comprehend, but never easy to do?

By: Natalia Arzhantseva

Natalia Arzhantseva — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:18:54 +0000

Thank you, Father!
The reminder & explanation are ALWAYS actual!
Jesus Prayer…unfortunately we realize its importance & essential meaning in our life only when we face the necessity, or put in circumstances where it sounds totally different in our hearts, and we feel it with all our soul. Of course, I don’t mean that I feel it as the Holy Fathers & righteous people, who are among us & will be till the end of times, and whom I, being spiritually blind, am unable to distinguish…But being a Christian, we feel the significance of this prayer when the time comes, when the bell tolls… And there are also moments when it is the only one which is left for us, when we are physically or/and morally are unable to do anything else. We understand then that this prayer comprises so much in itself, the whole world. This crucial moment I am talking about now has not yet come to me, but it will, as to anyone else. I pray God not to deprive me of the blessing of repeating His Holy name till by last breathe.

In Christ,

Natalia