The request of the two blind men, that is, “Have mercy on us, Son of David” (Matthew 9:27), is a variation of the well-known prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us” which we are used to call as the Jesus prayer. This prayer is not an invention of the monks, but this prayer was recommended by Christ (John 14:13; Mark 16:17) and used by the Apostles (Acts 3:6). It is a weapon against demons. “With the name of Jesus attack the enemies” St. John of the Ladder wrote. This prayer hides within it the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Jesus is the Son of the Father, and mercy and grace come to us by the Holy Spirit. The Jesus prayer gives the man who constantly uses it, strength, alertness, clarity of mind, the gift of life-giving tears, love for his brothers and sisters, desire for salvation and generally connects a man with God.
Metropolitan of Edessa Joel
Translated by Dr. Nick Stergiou
