Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Twelve simple words but with such a powerful impact. How you may ask? Let’s start with the prayer beads.
Now I chose prayer beads because I wasn’t aware of the history of prayer rope vs prayer beads. In fact, I thought it was a rosary, but the woman who sold it to me said they’re prayer beads that are similar to rosaries. Since I liked the texture and look of the prayer beads, I chose it. Personally, I think it was the better choice, but I do love the history of the prayer rope.
Now as part of the history, it says it’s to help to pray unceasingly. However, I was having a problem praying the Jesus Prayer, the above mentioned prayer, and meaning it. I mean I believe it, however, I knew that my Lord has forgiven me, and how could I ask for mercy when he has granted it? I mean, as an analogy, why keep asking for food when you have a full refrigerator and pantry?
If you look at an issue as a something as happening in a single point of time, then I can see the point of only asking until you receive it; however, God exists outside of time and the only thing we can do that is even close to matching His eternity is to pray continually. How do you pray continually?
The answer is, and to borrow a phrase, becoming one with the Jesus Prayer. To become one with the prayer, you must meditate on the prayer, and since you cannot meditate on the abstract “Jesus Prayer,” you must therefore pray using every word in the prayer. Since we live inside of time, every time you repeat each word of the prayer, you’re in essence meditating on the prayer since it’s impossible to say all the words at the same time. And you must say all the words to grasp the entirety of what it means. Lord, our ruler, Jesus Christ, anointed savior, Son of God, second person of the trinity, have mercy on me, forgive me, a sinner, your fallen state.