And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Mark 10:47
The Jesus Prayer has served as the spiritual heart of discipleship for millennia. In fact, it’s highlighted as the means by which disciples can fulfill the biblical command to “pray without ceasing” in The Way of a Pilgrim (1884).
This classic Russian religious narrative recounts the tale of an unnamed pilgrim who learns that to pray without ceasing is “a constant, uninterrupted calling upon the divine name of Jesus during every occupation, at all times, at all places, even during sleep.” After encountering a holy man, he learns that reciting The Jesus Prayer became a consistent and calming presence within him which brought him unspeakable joy.
In Mark’s gospel account, we first encounter The Jesus Prayer as it was uttered by a blind man named Bartimaeus. Below are 6 lessons from this prayer as well as a practical guide of how I have implemented this prayer into my daily practice.
1) Bartimaeus was born blind. We also are born blind.
Bartimaeus could not see physically, but he kept hearing good news about a “son of David” who was healing people. We are born blind spiritually, but we keep hearing the good news about a benevolent God who died for us and has endless grace and mercy available to us named Jesus Christ.
2) Bartimaeus was in desperate need. We also are in desperate need.
Bartimaeus’ existence was totally dependent on the generosity (or pity) of total strangers. Our existence is totally dependent on the common grace that God continually pours out on all flesh. Unless we first realize our complete dependence on God holding us together, this side of eternity will be the closest we will ever come get to heaven in proximity. And the heaven on earth here pales greatly in comparison to the future glory reserved to those who put their faith fully and wholly in Jesus.
3) Bartimaeus called out to Jesus. We also are to call out to Jesus.
Bartimaeus had nothing to lose. His existence was already pitiful. If Jesus were to respond and heal him, it would revolutionize his life. Likewise, unless we come to the end of our rope, we will never call out. Desperation is a critical and required element of faith. The Jesus Prayer is a perfect encapsulation of that desperate cry!
Centuries earlier, after David committed adultery with Bathsheba, he cried out to God in Psalm 51:1-2 “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.”
4) Jesus asked Bartimaeus what he wanted. Jesus also asks us what we want.
Not only did Jesus turn his attention to Bartimaeus, he asked him what he wanted. This demonstrates the extremely personal nature of God, where he is not only aware of our existence but wishes to know our deepest desires Often times we ask out of greed instead of needs. May we take time to ponder what we really desire.
5) Jesus showed mercy to Bartimaeus. Jesus also will show mercy to us.
Jesus had great compassion on Bartimaeus and gave him his heart’s greatest need. Today, if you desire to be seen, heard and healed, that is available to you today.
6) Bartimaeus followed Jesus. We also are to follow Jesus.
Finally, in Mark 10:52 we read that after Bartimaeus “received his sight [he] followed Jesus along the road.”
When God told Moses to approach Pharaoh and demand that Pharaoh let his people go, we often gloss over the phrase, “that they may serve [or worship] me in the wilderness.” Israel was freed from a totalitarian dictatorship in Egypt in order to serve Yahweh. In other words, when God saves you or heals you, He isn’t just saving you from sin, shame and sickness, but for something better!
Your personal story of encountering God, is meant to be told and retold to encourage others. The Gospel isn’t fully realized until it is demonstrated and proclaimed to the world at large because, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14) In fact, your personal testimony is one of the two ways in which we can overcome the enemy of our souls. (See Rev. 12:11)
It is impossible to purify our heart from passionate thoughts, and to drive out mental enemies, without constant calling on the name of Jesus.
St. Hesychios
My Personal Practice
Before I begin my day, there are several practices I’ve incorporated into my morning routing that have helped me center my life on the cross.
First, I’ll look up from my desk to a small crucifix I purchased on Amazon for $9.99 which helps me, a visual learner, focus my attention on the person of Jesus and his finished work on the cross. In this manner, I begin to meditate on and be mindful of the cross which magnifies him above my personal problems and issues.
I will then recite the ancient Jesus prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Often times I will recite the first portion in my mind on a long inhale, and the second portion as I slowly exhale repeatedly for several minutes.
Next, I will proceed to spend anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes in listening prayer with my hands extended forward and palms up as if I am receiving a gift from the Holy Spirit. Remember, your body is deeply intertwined with your body, so the way you posture your body will translate directly to your soul.
Finally, I will either read scripture then pray out loud, or pray then proceed to read scripture as part of an annual Bible reading plan.
As a result, by regularly incorporating this daily devotional practice into my schedule, I have seen tremendous spiritual growth and character development.
Spiritual formation into the character of Christ where the commands of Christ are felt as delightful participation in the trinitarian nature of God instead of burdensome duties will not happen on accident. If you are not practically incorporating prayer practices into your daily routine, you will not advance spiritually.
Blessings on your journey of faith my friends!
I implore you, brethren, never to break or despise the rule of this prayer: A Christian when he eats, drinks, walks, sits, travels or does any other thing must continually cry: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me." So that the name of the Lord Jesus descending into the depths of the heart, should subdue the serpent ruling over the inner pastures and bring life and salvation to the soul. He should always live with the name of the Lord Jesus, so that the heart swallows the Lord and the Lord the heart, and the two become one. And again: do not estrange your heart from God, but abide in Him, and always guard your heart by remembering our Lord Jesus Christ, until the name of the Lord becomes rooted in the heart and it ceases to think anything else.
St. John Chrysostom