“Lord Jesus Christ Son of the Living God have mercy on me a sinner”
This is a prayer Father taught us recently. The prayer has its roots in the Eastern Catholic Church and is the cornerstone prayer of the Eastern Catholic Church. If you fill the empty moments of your day with the Holy Name of Jesus, you can keep your thoughts focused on God and grow in His grace.
This prayer calls upon the name of Jesus Christ for mercy and forgiveness. It is perhaps the most popular prayer among Eastern Christians, both Orthodox and Catholic.
St. Paul urges you to “pray without ceasing,” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), this prayer is one of the best ways to start doing so. It’s easy to memorize, and simple to recite wherever and whenever you remember to do so.
He showed us this “rosary-like” “rope” with 100 knots upon which you can pray this prayer throughout the day. It is called “the Jesus prayer” for a reason and is built upon scriptural base.
One of my favorite chapters of the Bible is Philippians 2:5-11. In these verses, St. Paul says that “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” The Name of Jesus is one of the most powerful prayers one can offer. Invoking the Holy Name of our Lord calls upon immense power.
Father showed us that this prayer is often sung instead of just recited, but saying it is powerful as well.
It should be said in a deliberate manner, contemplating upon the words being prayed. Draw your mind to reflect upon each ‘piece’ of the prayer as you say it. Don’t get in the habit of just rattling it off as another rote prayer. Pray it mediating upon its meaning.
“Lord Jesus Christ Son of the Living God have mercy on me a sinner”
“Lord” – El-Elyon na Adonai “God Almighty, God in the highest.” We remember and declare God as both Almighty and our God.
“Jesus Christ” – there is power in the Name of Jesus – Philippians 2:5-11. In these verses, St. Paul says that “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
“Son of the Living God” – we recall and invoke the Trinity as well as declaring God the Father’s Sovereignty. As well as remembering and exalting Jesus’ incarnation.
“Have mercy on me, a sinner” – this recalls prayer offered by a tax collector in Luke 18:9-14, the parable that Jesus tells about the tax collector and the Pharisee. It also shows our humble nature before God and calls upon His Divine Mercy. Mercy that every soul needs and that God desires to pour in oceans of abundance upon every soul.
“Lord Jesus Christ Son of the Living God have mercy on me a sinner”
So, I offer you another prayer challenge of sorts. I ask you to add this prayer into your day. Say it often. Start when the alarm sounds in the morning. Then, after meals. Before and after conference calls or meetings at work. When you cross the street. At the end of the day when you climb into bed. The more you say this prayer, the more it draws into your heart and lifts your soul and mind above the worldly.
“Lord Jesus Christ Son of the Living God have mercy on me a sinner”
Господь Иисус Христос, Сын Бога Живого, помилуй меня грешника