Overview

“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.

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9781789590708

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Reviews

Modestly sub-titled 'Perspectives on the Jesus Prayer' this dense little book is in fact a miniature history of Christian spirituality. Beginning with the desert Fathers and Mothers, Gill discusses the development of prayer techniques from the earliest times to the present day while at the same time discussing possible connections with non-Christian meditation traditions. There is an interesting chapter comparing the origins of the Jesus prayer with the psychophysical hesychastic practices derived from Hindu yoga via Sufism, the mystical tradition within Islam. Western monastic traditions including the Cloud of Unknowing are discussed, as well as Carmelite and Jesuit practice; even the Marian Rosary of the Roman Catholic church is compared and contrasted with the Jesus Prayer in helpful and illuminating ways. The 20th century western interest in Christian Meditation and Centering Prayer are also contrasted with the eastern Orthodox use of the Jesus Prayer and found to be lacking a truly Christological focus. This book would be a mine of information for anyone interested in exploring a new form of prayer and there is an extensive bibliography of more academic studies in the Orthodox prayer tradition. -- Kirsty Anderson * Transforming Ministry *

Author Information

John Gill is a semi-retired Australian psychiatrist and an ordained Deacon in the Melkite Catholic Eparchy of Australia and New Zealand, where he serves at the parish of St Peter and Paul at Hampton Park, Melbourne. He has a Master of Arts degree from the University of Divinity in Melbourne and lives in Victoria.

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