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Catechism of the Catholic Church

2667
This simple invocation of faith developed in the tradition of prayer under many forms in East and West. The most usual formulation, transmitted by the spiritual writers of the Sinai, Syria, and Mt. Athos, is the invocation, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us sinners." It combines the Christological hymn of Philippians 2:6-11 with the cry of the publican and the blind men begging for light. Mk 10:46-52

2668
The invocation of the holy name of Jesus is the simplest way of praying always. When the holy name is repeated often by a humbly attentive heart, the prayer is not lost by heaping up empty phrases, but holds fast to the word and "brings forth fruit with patience." Lk 8:15 This prayer is possible "at all times" because it is not one occupation among others but the only occupation; that of loving God, which animates and transfigures every action in Christ Jesus.

Thomas Merton-Trappist Monk/Author

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Originally uploaded by doctorpece.

Merton was a Trappist Monk who has written many books on contemplative prayer, peace and justice and other topics. He was a convert from Protestantism. He began as an atheist and through the promptings of the Holy Spirit began to read religious material, especially philosophy. He eventually began to learn about prayer and felt drawn to Catholicism. After a few years he made a retreat at the Abbey of Gethesame in Kentucky where he decided to spend the rest of his life. His autobiographical book, The Seven Storey Mountain was the driving force in many conversions and though written many years ago is still a very popular book because it describes his great story about the mercy of God in his life.

Bishop Kallistos Ware

The Jesus Prayer is a prayer of marvelous versatility. It is a prayer for beginners, but equally a prayer that leads to the deepest mysteries of the contemplative life. It can be used by anyone, at any time, in any place: standing in queues, walking, traveling on buses or trains; when at work; when unable to sleep at night; at times of special anxiety when it is impossible to concentrate upon other kinds of prayer. But while of course every Christian can use the Prayer at odd moments in this way, it is a different matter to recite it more or less continually and to use the physical exercises which have become associated with it. Orthodox spiritual writers insist that those who use the Jesus Prayer systematically should, if possible, place themselves under the guidance of an experienced director and do nothing on their own initiative.

Thomas Merton-Writer

"The monk in hiding himself from the world becomes not less than himself, not less of a person, but more of a person, more truly and perfectly himself: for his personality and individuality are perfected in their true order, the spiritual, interior order."

A Prayer of Thomas Merton

My Lord God I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that my desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
Thomas Merton (1915-1968)

Cultivating the Jesus Prayer

"Cultivate the Jesus Prayer and a time will come when your heart will leap with joy, just as it does when you are about to see a person who you love very much."
Fr. Amphilochios Makris