Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on us.
Ісусе, Ісусе, сину Божий, помилуй, помилуй нас.
Transliteration: Isuse, Isuse, Synu Bozhyy, pomyluy, pomyluy nas.
English translation: Jesus, Jesus, Son of God, have mercy, have mercy on us.
I don’t know the name of this vocal ensemble, when the recording was made, or the origin of the melody they sing. (Can anyone help me out there?)
The text, though, is a famous one, and known as the Jesus Prayer, or the Prayer of the Heart. It originated with the early Christian monks of the Egyptian desert around the fifth century, and was first written down in Greek. Another variation is “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
An invocation of Christ’s name and presence, the Jesus Prayer is meant to be recited in repetition as a form of meditative prayer. Some Christians use it in conjunction with a breath prayer, breathing in as they say internally, “Jesus, Son of God,” and breathing out on “have mercy.”
It’s most often prayed in the first-person singular—“Have mercy on me”—and used in private devotions, but in this corporate chant on the video, it’s prayed in the first-person plural, “us.” In light of Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine and the war being fought there, I hear in these Ukrainian women’s voices a lament for their country.
Lord, have mercy. Spare the Ukrainian people. Stop the violence and destruction. Protect, provide. Heal the wounded and the traumatized, and comfort the grieving. Thwart the evildoers; turn their hearts to you in repentance. Grant wisdom to the leaders working for peace. In short: “Lord, help!”
(excerpted from Art and Theology)
Other breath prayers from Scripture you might like:
(From Matthew 11:28-30)
Inhale: Humble and gentle One,
Exhale: you are rest for my soul.
(From John 15)
Inhale: True Vine and Gardener,
Exhale: I abide in You.
(From Romans 8:38-39)
Inhale: Nothing can separate me,
Exhale: from the love of God.
(From Psalm 46:10)
Inhale: Be still
Exhale: and know you are God.
(From Matt. 6:10)
Inhale: On earth
Exhale: as it is in heaven.
(From 2 Cor. 12:9)
Inhale: Your grace
Exhale: is enough for me.
(From 1 John)
Inhale: There is no fear
Exhale: in your Love.
(From Psalm 23)
Inhale: I will not be afraid
Exhale: for You are with me.
(From Psalm 46:1)
Inhale: You are our refuge
Exhale: and our strength.
(From Psalm 74:16)
Inhale: Both day and night
Exhale: belong to You.
(From Psalm 91:1)
Inhale: I find rest
Exhale: in Your shelter.
(From Psalm 103: 4-5)
Inhale: You surround me with love
Exhale: and tender mercies.
Inhale: You fill my life
Exhale: with good things.
(From Philippians 4:7)
Inhale: Peace of Christ,
Exhale: guard my heart and mind.
JUDY
P.S. Hurry and register below for our Guided Day of Silence on March 29!