The Jesus Prayer, also called the Prayer of the Heart, the Prayer of a Single Thought, or simply The Prayer, is a short, simple prayer that has been widely used, taught and discussed throughout the history of Eastern Christianity. The exact words of the prayer have varied, from a simple form such as "Lord, have mercy" to an extended form:
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner."
The form most in use on Mount Athos is "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me." It is particularly used in the practice of the spiritual life known as hesychasm. It is, for the Orthodox, one of the most profound and mystical prayers and is often repeated endlessly as part of a personal ascetic practice.
