

THE JESUS PRAYER: FOR THOSE LIVING IN THE WORLD - By: Protopresbyter Fr. Stephanos Anagnostopoulos
Prayer Condenses The Whole Spiritual Life
- The Jesus Prayer condenses Scripture, theology, and the Church's spiritual life into one short invocation.
- Saying “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me” channels divine energies to purify and unite heart and mind.
Begin Orally, Move Inward Gradually
- Start orally: say the prayer aloud until tongue, mind, and body align with it.
- Progress to mental recitation, then let mind and heart combine so the prayer rests in the heart.
Grace Requires Human Toil
- Noetic prayer isn't for lazy belief; it requires keeping commandments, virtues, and sacraments first.
- Grace accompanies sustained effort: prayer both attracts and cooperates with divine grace.






























Published, translated, and edited from the original Greek by: St. John Chrysostomos Greek Orthodox Monastery - Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. 2021.
https://www.stchrysostomoscrafts.com/order-form
In honor of the most-noble Athonite Elder, Saint Joseph the Hesychast, teacher of noetic prayer and reviver of the neptic tradition in modern times.
Dedicated to: My Elder of blessed memory, Father Ephraim of Philotheou and Arizona, the unwavering guide of noetic, grace-filled prayer.
CONTENTS: Praying with the Name of Jesus Christ; "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me" for Clergy and Laity; Manners and Phases of the Prayer; The Jesus Prayer and the Warfare of the Devil; The Jesus Prayer and Purification from the Passions; Prayer, Nepsis and Hesychia; Prayer and Enlightenment of the Nous; Prayer and Mystical Union with God within the Heart; Prayer and Delusion; Epilogue