The Way of A Pilgrim

How to pray without ceasing: excerpted from "The Way of a Pilgrim," translated by R.M. French

The prayer that doesn't stop is the prayer of Jesus, the uninterrupted calling upon the name of Jesus with the lips, in the spirit and in the heart, while forming a picture of his presence and imploring his grace during every occupation--at all times, in all places, even during sleep. The appeal is couched in these terms: "Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me"-- a Western mantra if I ever heard one. One who accustoms himself to this appeal experiences a result so deep a consolation and so great a need to offer the prayer always that he can no longer live without it and will begin to voice itself within him of its own accord. Sit down alone and in silence. Lower your head. Shut your eyes. Try to put all other thoughts aside. Be calm. Be patient. For the first two days, the pilgrim is told to repeat the prayer 3,000 times, 6,000 times for the next two days, then 12,000 times, and then without limit. 

As I read more of how this worked out in the ancient pilgrim's life, I will update my blog! Until then, keep repeating, "Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me, a sinner."