“We have been left the divine gift of hesychasm as an inheritance from the Holy Fathers, which we must keep lit in our own candles as a spark from which many others may light theirs.” —Cf. Elder Arsenios Praja “Prayer and silence will save the world.” —Robert Cardinal Sarah

The cooling of faith is a reality. Many have become so progressive that they no longer see a need for God. Practicing Christians feel increasingly like outsiders. Christ himself warned of the two ways and that few will find the narrow gate (Matt. 7:14) leading to eternal life. There is no middle way or compromise with the spirit of the age.

A primer on the Jesus Prayer, we focus on the most ancient, most used, and simplest form of contemplative prayer in the Church, a proven technique for turning hearts to God. A living relationship with the living Jesus is truly life changing.

As a Church, it is time to return to basics, the Art of Spiritual Life, of which the Jesus Prayer is a core component. Prayer coupled with the sacramental life of the Church creates a complete spirituality, a source of healing in our lives and in a broken world.

“A spiritual treasure for today’s world—rooted in tradition, rich in grace, practical, and profoundly needed. Rediscover the grace-filled movements of God.”

Edward Kleinguetl is a deacon in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and served the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh (Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic). Deacon Ed has been extensively involved in parish missions and retreats for varying age groups, both in the United States and China. He has written extensively on Eastern Christian spirituality including works on the Jesus Prayer and theosis. In connection with his interests on these topics, he has been on pilgrimage to St. Antony's monastery in Egypt (twice, Egyptian monasteries in the Wadi al Natrun, Mt. Athos in Greece, and monasteries in Romania. Ed holds a BSBA from The Ohio State University, a Diploma in Pastoral Studies from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, and a MA in Spirituality from Loyola University Chicago's Institute of Pastoral Studies. He was ordained to the diaconate on February 3, 2007 by His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston. In secular life, Ed is a partner with Grant Thornton, LLP, working in Transaction Advisory Services.