I like to explore the depth of people from years gone by. I often read the thoughts of people who lived hundreds or even over a thousand years ago. The difference between the Christian faith many of these people exhibited makes what one sees today in North America seem kind of selfish and superficial.
I find my own mind and heart challenged as I allow those who were giants of faith, in an era that suffered deeply and remained faithful, to speak into my life. So I thought I would share this one I read from Saint John Chrysostom. Saint John lived in the fourth and fifth century. He was a prolific writer, powerful preacher, and lover of God. His thoughts are sometimes so deep that I have to read and re-read them. This piece refers to the “prayer of Jesus.” This ancient prayer of the early Christians goes like this.
“Lord Jesus Christ, son of God. Have mercy on me a sinner.”
Below is the passage from St. John.
Remembering the name of Jesus rouses the enemy to battle. One who forces himself to pray the prayer of Jesus can find anything by this prayer, both good and evil. First, he can see evil in the recesses of his own heart, and afterwords good. This prayer can stir the snake to action, and this prayer can lay it low. This prayer can expose the sin that is living within us, and this prayer can eradicate it. This prayer can stir up in the heart all the power of the enemy, and this prayer can conquer it and gradually root it out. The name of the Lord Jesus Christ, as it descends into the depths of the heart, will subdue the snake which controls it pastures, and will save and revive the soul. Continue constantly in the name of the Lord Jesus that the heart may swallow the Lord and the Lord the heart, and that these two may be one.
Peace,
Leon
