A Forerunner of the Jesus Prayer

Abba Isaac in his second conference on prayer sets forth a formula for ceaseless prayer:

"O God, incline unto my aid; O Lord, make haste to help me." - Psalm 69(70):1 

He goes on to teach that ceaseless and pure prayer is learned similarly to how a child learns to write by tracing letters daily over a long period of time (The Conferences: 10.10.1).  Therefore, a simple prayer, also called an arrow prayer by St. John Chrysostom, should be constantly repeated to control the distracted and wandering mind.  St. Chrysostom prescribes a different formula for ceaseless prayer in his hourly prayers for the twenty-four hours of the day, yet the end goal is the same--to obtain a pure heart that constantly abides in Christ.

How does this verse from Psalm 69 work so well as a method for ceaseless prayer?  Abba Isaac teaches that a formula for ceaseless prayer must have the following characteristics:

     1) Brevity
     2) Invocation of the name of God (10.10.3)
     3) Scriptural basis (10.11.5)

This prayer applies to sad difficulties, joyful successes, and everything in between at all times and in all places (10.10.5).  It also is a ready defense against all manifestations of gluttony, slothfulness, excessive sleep, anger, avarice, sadness, acedia (spiritual apathy), vainglory, pride, and various distractions (10.10.8, 10-11).

Abba Isaac then elaborates on how to best practice the prayer, "You should, I say, meditated constantly on this verse in your heart.  You should not stop repeating it when you are doing any kind of work or performing some service or are on a journey....  Let sleep overtake you as you meditate upon this verse until you are formed by having used it ceaselessly and are in the habit of repeating it even while asleep" (10.10.14-15).  We are to repeat the Psalms with profound compunction of heart that they become not words composed by the prophets, but rather our own utterances and prayers (10.11.4).  For this outcome is the goal of all liturgical prayers in the Church and in private--to pray to God with compunction of heart without distraction (λογίσμοι or помыслы). 

Why is the Jesus Prayer used today as the formula for ceaseless prayer instead of Psalm 69:1?  Because it meets and exceeds all of Abba Isaac's requirements:

     1) It immediately invokes the name of Jesus Christ our Savior, which is above all other names (Phil. 2:9-10).
     2) It concisely summarizes the Orthodox Way of faith and life.  
     3) It is based on the Holy Scriptures (Luke 17:13; 18:14, 38). 

As we pray the Jesus Prayer, may we remember that "whoever is in the habit of praying only at the hour when the knees are bent prays very little.  But whoever is distracted by any sort of wandering of heart, even on bended knees, never prays" (10.14.2).  Therefore, let us by our constant efforts and the merciful gifts of God pray from our hearts at all times and in all places.

To help us in our struggles every week during Divine Liturgy we mystically join the Cherubim and Seraphim before God's throne in their perfect, ceaseless prayer crying, "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth, heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in the Highest!"

Until that day of truly uninterrupted prayer, may we never stop striving to constantly say with all our hearts: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner. 

"Be constant in prayer." - Romans 12:12

"Pray without ceasing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

"Pray without ceasing on behalf of everyone. For in them there is hope of repentance so that they may attain to God. Permit them, then, to be instructed by your works, if in no other way. Be meek in response to their wrath, humble in opposition to their boasting; to their blasphemies return your prayers; in contrast to their error be steadfast in the faith; and for their cruelty display your gentleness." - St. Ignatius of Antioch 

"A theologian is one who knows how to pray, and he who prays in spirit and in truth is by that very act a theologian." - Evagrius

"Those who have truly decided to serve the Lord God should practice the remembrance of God and uninterrupted prayer to Jesus Christ, mentally saying: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." - St. Seraphim of Sarov