The Prayer of Jesus is said like this:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Originally it was said without the addition of the word sinner: this word was added to the other words of the prayer later. This word, remarks St. Nil Sorsky, which implies a consciousness and confession of the fall, is fitting for us and pleasing to God Who has commanded us to offer prayers in acknowledgment and confession of our sinfulness.
The Fathers allow beginners, in deference to their weakness, to divide the prayer into two halves, and sometimes to say, Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner, and sometimes, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner. But this is only a concession or indulgence, and not at all an order or rule requiring unfailing compliance.
It is much better to say constantly the same, whole prayer without distracting and bothering the mind with changes or with concern about changes. Even he who finds a change necessary for his weakness should not allow it often.
For example, the first half of the prayer can be prayed till dinner, and the other after dinner. St. Gregory the Sinaite forbids frequent change, saying: “Trees that are often transplanted do not take root.”
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Originally it was said without the addition of the word sinner: this word was added to the other words of the prayer later. This word, remarks St. Nil Sorsky, which implies a consciousness and confession of the fall, is fitting for us and pleasing to God Who has commanded us to offer prayers in acknowledgment and confession of our sinfulness.The Fathers allow beginners, in deference to their weakness, to divide the prayer into two halves, and sometimes to say, Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner, and sometimes, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner. But this is only a concession or indulgence, and not at all an order or rule requiring unfailing compliance.
It is much better to say constantly the same, whole prayer without distracting and bothering the mind with changes or with concern about changes. Even he who finds a change necessary for his weakness should not allow it often.
For example, the first half of the prayer can be prayed till dinner, and the other after dinner. St. Gregory the Sinaite forbids frequent change, saying: “Trees that are often transplanted do not take root.”
On the Prayer of Jesus
FROM THE ASCETIC ESSAYS OF
Bishop Ignatius Brianchaninov
