by admin
The Jesus Prayer: The Ancient Desert Prayer that Tunes the Heart to God
December 4, 2009 in Reformed Presbyterian by admin
- ISBN13: 9781557256591
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
In the earliest centuries of faith, Christians in the deserts of Palestine and Africa sought a short prayer that could be easily repeated, in order to acquire the habit of “prayer without ceasing.” The result was The Jesus Prayer:
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.”
This jewel of Eastern Christianity aims at enabling a person to be in God’s presence, rather than to focus on feelings or thoughts about God.
The first section of The Jesus Prayer offers a concise overview of the history, theology, and spirituality of Orthodoxy, so that the Prayer can be understood in its native context. Following, is a conversational question-and-answer format that takes the reader through practical steps for adopting this profound practice in everyday life.
The Jesus Prayer: The Ancient Desert Prayer that Tunes the Heart to God
Frederica is a bridge author between E. Orthodoxy and other faith streams the way Henri Nouwen was for the RCC and evangelicalism. I sat under her workshops at Oxford CS Lewis Institute and have read all her books and dozens of others on the Jesus Prayer. Eastern Orthodox spirituality and theology and music has deeply impacted my own journey as a pastor. This book is direct, clear, and accessible for any Christian and even those seeking more understanding.
She has chosen to have half the book be in a Q and A format which works well because of the many nuances and viewpoints even among the Orthodox on the practice of the prayer and the related principles of spiritual discipline.
I believe this will be the modern standard to introduce millions of Christians to prayer that moves beyond shallow self-expressed prayers and formal written prayers to a place of constant presence with God so needed in our self-addicted world of miss-placed passions. I encourage you to read the book and more importantly, make the Jesus Prayer and similar scripture prayers the core of your prayer-practice.
Rating: 5 / 5