I don't remember if I've ever shared this story before or not: During my first discussion with you about Orthodoxy, you casually mentioned that you prayed a simple prayer, "Lord, have mercy!" and that you repeated this prayer many times for each of your loved ones, each day.  You did not say anymore about it than this. (I don't think you even suggested that I use it–but simply shared with me that it was the way you prayed.)
 
At that time I had never heard of the 'Jesus Prayer', had never attended an Orthodox service and thus had no idea about it's history or significance in Orthodox worship and practice.  And I was totally new to the idea of praying a prayer, repetitively.  But I went home with this idea stuck in my head and decided to give it a try.  I was astounded at the results. I don't mean as in the answers to the prayer, but in its effect on my ability to focus in prayer—something that had always been a major challenge for me.  It was simple, focused and was a powerful, concise summation and constant reminder of what is needed: the Lord and His mercy. (The longer version has even more important theology–the name of Jesus and the fact that I'm a sinner in need of mercy.)
 
So without any preconceived ideas or expectations about this prayer, I had serendipitously discovered that I had been given a powerful, life changing gift.

During my first discussion with you about Orthodoxy, you casually mentioned that you prayed a simple prayer, "Lord, have mercy!" and that you repeated this prayer many times for each of your loved ones, each day.  You did not say anymore about it than this. (I don't think you even suggested that I use it–but simply shared with me that it was the way you prayed.)
 
At that time I had never heard of the 'Jesus Prayer', had never attended an Orthodox service and thus had no idea about it's history or significance in Orthodox worship and practice.  And I was totally new to the idea of praying a prayer, repetitively.  But I went home with this idea stuck in my head and decided to give it a try.  I was astounded at the results. I don't mean as in the answers to the prayer, but in its effect on my ability to focus in prayer—something that had always been a major challenge for me.  It was simple, focused and was a powerful, concise summation and constant reminder of what is needed: the Lord and His mercy. (The longer version has even more important theology–the name of Jesus and the fact that I'm a sinner in need of mercy.)
 
So without any preconceived ideas or expectations about this prayer, I had serendipitously discovered that I had been given a powerful, life changing gift.

James 5:16 states: "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

Here is why we have confidence asking the saints, those who have fought the good fight and finished the course, to pray for us.

I have no confidence in my personal prayers because I am a sinner, and not a righteous man, however, by the grace of God, and not though anything of my own, God will hear some of my prayers and act in His perfect and sovereign way. I have no idea which prayers are answered, and in my weak spiritual state, with my limited discernment, cannot know this. As I said previously, knowing that one of my prayers was answered would only lead to pride. All I know is that I pray, and others pray, and God acts.

I do not have the same opinion about my prayers as a priest, interceding before the altar. God has always received the prayers of His priests, by His sovereign will and not because of the worthiness of the man offering the prayer. This is why I am thrilled to offer the liturgy twice a week, and would love to get up to three times when God allows it. The changes in my life, my family, and my flock have been stupendous since we began serving two liturgies a week.

I think we could talk about the extreme benefits of “Lord have mercy”, or, even better, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner” for a long time. I agree very much with Scott’s observations about detail in prayer. I think there is much more that is beneficial besides. Perhaps we could talk about this more, but I am not feeling incredibly creative to tackle it right now.