Beginners Have No Need for a Jesus Prayer Rule

You raised very important questions. The first concerns the Jesus Prayer. I think the elders do well in not imposing a rule of this prayer upon beginners. One should wait until the person who has begun the work labors in church prayer and home prayer; and only counsel him to pray always from the heart with remembrance of the omnipresent God to whom he prays, and with understanding of the prayer words, believing that the Lord is near, hearkens to his prayer, and is ready to fulfill his request if he prays as he should. Keep him in this order for a longer time. Then, when he becomes accustomed to praying attentively in this manner, teach him the rule of the Jesus Prayer.

In teaching the performance of this prayer, instruct students not to confine themselves to memorizing the words alone, but to always have the Lord before their mind’s eye at the same time, and, directing the words of prayer to Him, hold themselves as they would hold themselves if standing before a sovereign and asking him for something. Let there be a contrite spirit and a contrite and humble heart (Ps. 50:19).

(Letter 929. Vol. 5, p. 215)