I have been trying a "new" (actually, very old! but new for me) way of praying lately ... simply saying the name of Jesus over and over.

It's something I read about in a book by Peter Kreeft called "Prayer for Beginners". Last night I was feeling very depressed and discontented with my ordinary prayers, so decided to try this instead. Simply saying His name over and over again, it's hard to explain but it isn't just like a "mantra" or a "technique". What you're doing is CALLING JESUS to come to you.

And He does. The peace and calm that He brings is hard to describe but very real. All I can say is that it is very similar to the feeling of sitting in front of the Tabernacle for a while - He answers you, just not in words.

Give it a try if you are having trouble praying. Say His name; He always answers. :-)

-- Christine L. :-) (christine_lehman@hotmail.com), January 21, 2003

Answers

Dear Christine,

Jesus. That is the Name by which you conquer. Jesus. Nat as cringing suppliants but as those recognizing a friend, say May Name - Jesus. "Thou shall call His Name, Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins."

And in that word "sins" read not only vice and degradation, but doubts, fears, tempers, despondencies, impatience, lack of love in big and little things. Jesus. "He shall save His people from their sins." The very uttering of the Name lifts the soul away from petty valley-irritations to mountain heights.

"He shall save His people from their sins." Savior and Friend, Joy- bringer and Rescuer, Leader and Guide-Jesus. Do you need delivering from cowardice, from adverse circumstances, from poverty, from failure, from weakness?

"There is none other Name....whereby you can be saved. - Jesus. Say it often. Claim the power it brings. (from "God Calling" edited by A.J. Russell - Reading for December 31) ml

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), January 21, 2003.

Oh, my, so many typos...My..not May...

Not....instead of Nat

Two Hail Marys for that! :)

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), January 21, 2003.

Dear Christine,

What you have discovered is really a variation on a very old Eastern Christian tradition of prayer which today is most often referred to as "The Jesus Prayer", after the title of a book which popularized it. Actually, I should say "re-popularized", as it was first brought to the public attention in the classic work "The Way of a Pilgrim". It is also called "Prayer of the Heart". You might be interested in these sites:

http://www.christianmystics.com/articles/prayer/jesusprayerEXC ERPT.shtml

http://www.sacramentors.org/the_Jesus_prayer.htm

Peace! Paul

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), January 21, 2003.

Dear Paul,

Thank you for those sites - I, too, am interested! Thanks for sharing.

MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), January 21, 2003.

MaryLu,

Send me an email, please. I want to talk to you!

-- Jake Huether (jake_huether@yahoo.com), January 21, 2003.

Christine,

interesting that you should bring that up, as last week I heard a sermon at mass, where the priest said, that we should say everyday, "Jesus I need you", or "Jesus I want you", so I have been saying that everyday over and over again, and I have noticed a huge difference. I feel a lot of beauty in my heart, that I cannot put into words. I feel a wonderful sorrow for my past sins, that moves me to tears. It is a wonderful feeling of release. God is so kind and generous to us in our prayers!

I pray that way, with my hands covering my face, as I find it helps me to concentrate, and removes the distractions of what we see around us with our eyes.

I will continue to pray my daily novenas, and rosary, but I am also going to call Jesus to me everyday, to help me. I cannot do it without him as I am such a failure in so many ways.

God bless you!

-- Gordon (gvink@yahoo.com), January 21, 2003.

Saying prayer before meals, we always add, "and may the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace (emphasis on FAITHFUL DEPARTED). It seems that we are not to pray for any but the faithful departed. Am I correct?.

-- Ed Richards (loztra@yahoo.com), January 21, 2003.

There is no point in praying for the unfaithful departed - but it is not our position to decide who belongs in which group :-)

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), January 21, 2003.

Perhaps we should also pray for the unfaithful who are GOING to be departed ... ;-)

-- Christine L. :-) (christine_lehman@hotmail.com), January 22, 2003.

How about some extra prayers and rosaries, for those 42 million babies, while those brave souls in Washington today, are fighting that cold weather, and a cold hearted supreme court.

-- Ed Richards (loztra@yahoo.com), January 22, 2003.

Right! I'm with you Christine,I will not give up on some of these wayward bishops either.

-- Ed Richards (loztra@yahoo.com), January 22, 2003.

Nor I, on those who have left the arms of the Church ... right, Ed? ;- )

-- Christine L. :-) (christine_lehman@hotmail.com), January 22, 2003.

Right Christine. We will all need a lot more of God's mercy, than His justice.

-- Ed Richards (Loztra@yahoo.com), January 22, 2003.

AMEN, my friend! :-)

-- Christine L. :-) (christine_lehman@hotmail.com), January 22, 2003.

Dear Christine,

Everyday, I also say...Jesus, have mercy on me for I am a sinner.

A priest once told us to say that every day - it is very powerful.

God Bless.

ml

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), January 22, 2003.

Oh, my, Jake..you want to talk to me? Am I in trouble because I quoted something from a book that is not Catholic? My pastor gives that book to everyone...and there are copies in my church.

ml

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), January 22, 2003.

Jake,

Did you get my e-mail? I am dying to know what it is you want to talk to me about?

ML

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), January 24, 2003.

MaryLu, make sure you come back & tell us what he says! (tee hee!)

-- Christine L. :-) (christine_lehman@hotmail.com), January 24, 2003.

He never did respond to my email...ha,ha

C

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), January 24, 2003.

Men, love 'em & leave 'em. Hey Jake, wherefore art thou?? ;-)

-- Christine L. :-) (christine_lehman@hotmail.com), January 24, 2003.

Christine, I'm so happy you found the joy and peace in calling on the name of the Lord. There is even a verse in the bible which says whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. The name of Jesus Christ embodies the Triune God, with all His rich divine attributes to be expressed through our human virtues.

Where I meet, we practice calling on the name of the Lord a lot. His name is above all names. Wonderful ! Praise the Lord.

-- Oliver Fischer (spicenut@excite.com), January 26, 2003.

The best prayer is the LORD's Prayer for Christians/Catholics: It is complete by itself more so when prayed whole-heartedly. God bless!

-- gil gundayao (gil_gundayao2000@yahoo.com), December 26, 2003.