Unceasing: The Heart

July 21, 2010 in Prayer/Faith with 7 Comments

So, how does one pray unceasingly?  I still don’t know.

Have you ever heard the phrase “Speak it into existence”?  I still am not 100% sure what that means.  But I know this, when I say things enough, it happens.  Especially things like, “Today is going to be a horrible day.” I don’t know that the day is actually horrible, or if that’s what I’ve placed in my mind/heart.

When I repeat a phone number, I memorize it.

So, what do I repeat, with my mouth, or in my mind to count as constant prayer? I don’t know the answer to that question, so I did what I know how to do.  I Googled it.  I simply typed “Jesus Prayer”.  The first result was Wikipedia, so I clicked on it, I found this.  It actually talks about Hesychasm, which I think means silent prayer, or something like that.  Not really sure.  Anyway. Turns out the “Jesus Prayer” is “Κύριε Ιησού Χριστέ, Υιέ του Θεού, ελέησόν με τον αμαρτωλόν” or “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

I started repeating this, whenever I can. (Yesterday)  I still do.  In my mind, mumble it out loud. whatever I can do.  I think the idea I have is, if I repeat this, it will embed itself into my heart. To where, my heartbeat will cry out, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!”  It seems like a far fetch.  It seems like it’s  a desperate attempt, which is what makes me believe it will work.

Another one I’ve been repeating is simply, “The Lord is my Shepherd.”  Repeating. Repeating, like a drum a rhythm in my body.  The more I repeat it, the more the imagery of that becomes real.  The more Jesus Christ actually being a Shepherd is a reality in my life.  Insane.  The reality shatters my soul.  The idea of declaring that, and that being embedded in my soul is really crazy.  I find myself, in moments of silence, realizing that instead of that song stuck in my head, I may mumble “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” or “The Lord is my Shepherd”.   I can’t say any real change has happened in the past few days, but I can say that I feel a little better.

I can say that, at least, in my mind, I have a prayer, that I try to repeat as much as possible.  My hope is that this prayer, will play in my mind like music enough to move to, and embed itself into my heart….. Unceasingly.

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  • scottfinn

    I think you are onto the real spirit of speaking into existence. This concept has been perverted with the likes of The Secret, and to some extent in Christianity by people like Osteen.

    I remain in awe of you. Please keep writing.

  • scottfinn

    This also just reminded me of something the Catholics used to do back in the 30s-60s:
    Mostly the “religious” would do this, but it was common practice to write, either at the top of a letter or under the signature: +JMJ
    A reminder of the Holy Family: Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Kind of a way to dedicate all the common things, like written letters, to them.

  • http://www.whatsthislifefor.posterous.com PastorT

    What did I tell you when you first started blogging?? THIS is it bro!! Without a doubt! Keep the fire burning.

  • http://shawnw.org shawnw

    How does one pray unceasingly? Here's a hint – expand your definition of “prayer.” Stop thinking of it as knees bent, head down, palms together.

  • http://www.crucialencounter.com Andy

    What kind of things do you mean? Is it a living prayer? Is it something others can practice? What's your definition?

  • http://shawnw.org shawnw

    Knees bent, head down, palms together is important, don't get me wrong. We gotta get low to remember how big our God is. But don't forget a cup of cold water, kindness to those in need, giving of oneself out of love for the Creator. Those are the prayers that are sweet smelling incense to God's heart.