Here at the beginning of Lent is a new penitential chant, in Taize style (below), to use with the Jesus Prayer. This prayer is a very ancient one which derives from the Orthodox tradition. Several years ago, I was drawn to this prayer by hearing Bishop Simon Barrington-Ward talking about it on a Quiet Day then reading his book (see below). Earlier, on this blog, I outlined why I find the prayer so compelling. That entry started thus:
'This is a very ancient prayer
'Lord Jesus Christ
Son of God
Have mercy on me, a sinner'.
In the book ‘Praying The Jesus Prayer Together’ by Brother Ramon and Bishop Simon Barrington-Ward (Bible Reading Fellowship: ISBN 1 S4101 147 9), Brother Ramon writes (p 111)
‘The cosmic nature of the prayer means that the believer lives as a human being in solidarity with all other human beings, and with the animal creation, together with the whole created order (the cosmos)’
and earlier in the same book, Bishop Simon writes (p42)
‘ At the heart of the creation, there must be a breaking and a re-making’
which is, indeed, the order and rhythm of the whole universe as we, at the beginning of the 21st century perceive it.'
If you look around this blog, you will understand the attraction . You can find the whole of that entry at The Jesus Prayer Illustrated which also has a link to a slide presentation of the prayer in 50 languages to represent the outreach of Jesus to every race and every tongue.
It is a prayer which can help to still the mind - perhaps using a prayer rope as illustrated at the top of this post: or it can prompt thinking in a glorious myriad of directions.
I hope the music set out here might help some want to explore more about the prayer as it is sung in a group or as a personal meditative chant. You can listen to the prayer here and read/ copy the score at the end of the post
May the Holy Spirit fall upon you if you seek to find your way into the depths of the prayer.
You might also be interested in the
Collection of Lent, Holy Week and Easter poems/ hymns on this blog
If you look around this blog, you will understand the attraction . You can find the whole of that entry at The Jesus Prayer Illustrated which also has a link to a slide presentation of the prayer in 50 languages to represent the outreach of Jesus to every race and every tongue.
It is a prayer which can help to still the mind - perhaps using a prayer rope as illustrated at the top of this post: or it can prompt thinking in a glorious myriad of directions.
I hope the music set out here might help some want to explore more about the prayer as it is sung in a group or as a personal meditative chant. You can listen to the prayer here and read/ copy the score at the end of the post
May the Holy Spirit fall upon you if you seek to find your way into the depths of the prayer.
You might also be interested in the Collection of Lent, Holy Week and Easter poems/ hymns on this blog
