Author Description

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” This comprehensive introduction to the Jesus Prayer provides an overview of an ancient mystical prayer practice from the Christian East. The book considers multiple dimensions, including the historical development of the prayer and its basis in scripture, patristic spirituality, theology, and psychology. John Gill provides a unique comparison of the prayer with the prayer practices of the West, demonstrating various similarities and differences. The book also discusses the interactions between Eastern traditions of yoga and meditation and Christian prayer practices. Having developed within the heart of the Christian tradition, the Jesus Prayer effectively avoids the potential criticisms sometimes directed against practices that incorporate methods derived from non-Christian Eastern sources. A personal prayer expressing fundamental Christian faith, it is therefore a prayer which can hold universal appeal to Christians of all denominations. The book has a strong practical focus, including recommendations to assist beginners and suggestions for further reading as well as presenting the teachings of various Eastern Orthodox spiritual authorities.