A Method for Christian Meditation -- Using the "Jesus Prayer"

Published: Thu, 10/28/21

I equip people to serve God and others in a way that is both fruitful and sustainable. I do this through teaching, writing, and coaching. This newsletter is part of that work.

October 28, 2021

1. Personal Update

2. FEATURE VIDEO: A Method for Christian Meditation -- Using the "Jesus Prayer"

3. Get Help on Your Recovery Journey: home study program with online group coaching

4. Quotes of the Week

1. Personal Update

This week I'm including the third and final video in a series about Christian Meditation. As I've stated in previous weeks' newsletters, my observation is that meditation is widely discussed and practiced in our society at large, is also valued and discussed in recovery group meetings -- but gets scant attention and practice in many Christian churches. I won't get into the reasons (again) here, but I do want to remind you again that this is very sad.

We need meditation right now more than at any time in human history. The pace of life -- and in particular the onslaught of stimulation to our brains, which most people engage in during virtually all their waking hours -- makes us weary, anxious, bewildered, and depressed.

We need practices like meditation to create some mental "white space" and create a deeper connection to our inner life. But is this kind of "quieting the mind" form of meditation something that is okay for Christians to do? You better believe it is. Just ask anyone in the Eastern Orthodox Church ... they've been doing it for 2000 years. (I also believe many members of the Western Catholic and Protestant traditions have been doing this as well. It just seems more explicit and widespread in the Eastern Orthodox church.)

Check out the video, and you'll see what I mean.

https://markbrouwer.com

2. FEATURE VIDEO: A Method for Christian Meditation -- Using the "Jesus Prayer"

Christian Meditation: Using the Jesus Prayer

This video talks about the tradition of praying with a quiet heart and mind -- which comes out of the Eastern Orthodox Church. This method of prayer seems an awful lot like the "quiet mind meditation" formats we're hearing about today -- most of which come out of the Eastern religions. In other words, what they (and mindfulness advocates today) call "meditation" might be thought of by Christians as a kind of prayer.

Many people who get my newsletters are struggling with addiction, or are mental health professionals. This approach to meditation could be a game-changer, helping to bridge the gap between a "secular" or "Eastern" practice and genuine Christian tradition.

The only way to find out if this works is to try it. That's what this video is designed to do: to invite you into a form of prayer ... one you can add to your daily routine.

The video is 14 minutes long. I spend the first part of it giving the background of the Jesus Prayer. Then I get to the good stuff ... telling you how to do it.

Let me know if you do this ... or if you try it, let me know how it goes. Be blessed!

Note: Here are the other videos in the meditation series:

3. Get Help on Your Recovery Journey: Home Study Course WITH Weekly Virtual Group Meeting

Struggles with online pornography and compulsive sexual behavior have been exploding in the years since the advent of high-speed Internet and smart phones. But during the current pandemic, things have only gotten worse.

I'm now offering an integrated program that combines home study (with daily action steps to help your recovery), and a weekly group therapy gathering done in a secure online virtual space.

In the past few years I've offered a 90-Day Recovery Journey Program (just the written materials, without a support group), and people have reported excellent results from just using those materials. But when you add personalized coaching and support, you get "The Recovery Journey" program on steroids!

Here's what you'll get in the group program:

1. Daily materials to read and recovery action steps to take

Each week, you'll get an email with daily readings and action guides for steps to take to build your recovery that day. These are designed to be small, doable steps that take just a few minutes. (Weekend days have lighter work).

You can find out more about these materials by going to the recoveryjourney.com website. You'll see there that the program costs $97, for the materials only. If you join my support group, you'll get these materials for free.

2. Weekly live, virtual gathering led by me

These virtual groups are not simply "support groups" (like some of the online 12 step groups). I'm not saying those are not helpful, just that what I'm offering takes things a step further. In addition to checking in and sharing with other group members about how things are going, you'll have a chance to get specific advice and feedback from me (and senior members in the group) about the questions or issues you're having.

This is done in a context that is positive and supportive, where we really seek to have each others' backs, and try to find the fun and humor in what is often a challenging part of our lives.

In the group I offer specific coaching for members around questions and issues related to recovery, and living with ongoing emotional and spiritual well-being.

I've been leading groups like these for over 14 years, with hundreds of men from around the world. I am repeatedly told how helpful the process is for people who participate (there are some testimonies on the recoveryjourney.com website). In 2012 I stopped running the group portion of the program, offering the "Recovery Journey" only as a home study course. Now I'm going back to offering a group experience as well.

How much does the program cost?

This online therapy and recovery support program costs $120 per month. Once you go through a cycle (full 90 days), you can continue in the group for a reduced fee, with access to other materials for your daily recovery work. (Although many people decide to turn around and go through the 90 Day Recovery Journey materials a second time.)

Want to hear more?

Just hit "reply" to this email, and we'll be in touch. Due to the sensitive nature of this topic, and concerns about confidentiality, all members are screened before being allowed into the group.

4. Quotes of the Week

The following quote will make more sense if you watch the video above. I explain what the Jesus Prayer is, and how to use it. Listen to what this 19th Century Eastern Orthodox teacher says about this:

“The prayer of Jesus is of tremendous importance in the life of a Christian. This is the shortest path to reaching the Kingdom of Heaven, although this path is not easy, and, having entered upon it, we must be ready for struggle. True, other prayers are also of considerable importance, and a person who is praying the Jesus prayer, hears prayers and hymns in the church, makes the necessary [steps of faith]. And yet, it is the Jesus prayer that most quickly leads a person to a penitential mood and shows him his [spiritual need], therefore, bringing him closer to God.”
― St Barsanuphius of Optina