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Sorry, I re-read my post and it appears I left out a critical word. I'm attracted to the east because it is *less* 'gooey' than the 'west.' By 'gooey' I mean it doesn't have a much cheap sentimentality.

Jennifer,

Ok, if that's what you meant by "gooey", I will agree with you.

I stick by my original point though about the mysticism and ethereal quality of the East (but, I probably would concede that "gooey" isn't the best descriptor for those attributes - perhaps instead "intangible").

Many years,

Neil

Jennifer and Solanus welcome to the Byzantine Forum.

As for Tammy's question, I don't think I have ever been able to stay focused on it, at least as making a given number of repetitions. However, it has always been there ever sence I read the Way of the Pilgram (which reminds me I need to read the updated version). Whenever I get stressed, or really tired and not able to close my eyes for sleep the prayer comes. So I have to believe it is a part of me. I also pray it intentionaly, especially when I don't know how to pray for or about something.

I found it interesting once upon entering a very (orthodox as in true) Catholic chat room I visit at night when I can't sleep, I typed in the Jesus Prayer as my first words. Everyone that knows me, would just type amen or just go on. This nite a new person was in there and I just senced that it really frustrated her. She retyped the prayer to say something like, "and my family too." I took it to mean she had never been exposed to the Jesus Prayer and thought it a very selfish prayer.

I guess in many ways it can seem a selfish prayer, although it isn't. It is amazing how God changing our hearts changes the lives of so many around us. When we become more Christ-like, then He is glorified. When we become more Christ-like then His love is brought into the world in greater abundance. When we become Christ-like we are more willing to reach out to our brothers and sisters who are suffering or in pain, and share Jesus in whatever way he ask of us.

I think I may have shared this sometime ago, but a young man in our church, even as a child had a great devotion to the Jesus Prayer. Well when this incident happened he was only a teen, and that was 18 years ago, he and his wife are now proud parents of nine children, thy desire to have 12. Anyway, he was watching his twin nephews, who were taking naps, one of the boys had been sick and suddenly the one that was well came and got him. Chris rushed back to the room to find the other child in extreme stress, as he picked him up, the Jesus Prayer began praying in him. He was able to get to the phone and call 911, and the parents got there quickly, but the Jesus Prayer never left his heart. They were able to get Joshua to the hospital, but he didn't make it. The Jesus Prayer carred him thourgh the whole day, through the time when he was too numb to pray himself. What grace that prayer brings to not only us, but too all of those around us, and to the whole world. The look on Chris's face when he talks about that day, is amazing. To look at him you can still see the anguish but as he witnesses to the love of God you see the peace of Christ. Thanks be to God, that he gave us such an awesome prayer!

Pani Rose

Hi, I am still here. Leaving for AZ. tomorrow and unplugging the P.C. today. So this is probably my last post until I find a library down there. The Jesus Prayer has great meaning in my life. I always say the "Jesus Prayer" before falling asleep at night right after any petitions I have not offered that day. I say it slowly meditating on each phrase or word so that it sort of sinks in.

I started saying it various times during the day after I also read, The Way of the Pilgrim-- if memory serves me right that was about twenty years ago. A significant memory for me is when I said it just before going under antiseptic before major surgery 15 years ago. My surgeon, who was Jewish, patted my hand. I think it blessed him and that was the last thing I remember before going under. The surgery was very successful(for cancer) and I have gone on saying the prayer every day since.

In Christ and the Theotokos,


Porter..