A breath prayer is a simple prayer we can say over and over again in a single breath.
“Lord, have mercy.” is one example. This prayer from the heart can be expanded also to be, “Lord, Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” or any variation of those words.
Since this is a breath prayer that has provided me comfort and strength in the past, I was excited to review the new book, The MercyPrayer – The One Prayer Jesus Always Answers by Robert Gelinas, to be released on July 30.
Here are a few tidbits I learned from this book that provides a rich background to this prayer:
· Lord have mercy is the most prayed prayer in the Bible
· Kyrie eleison means Lord have mercy
· The Greek word, elaion, sounds like eleison and means olive or olive oil. Makes one wonder about a play on the words. If we would say kyrie elaion we would be praying “Lord have medicine on me” or bring healing into my life.
The author includes Bible stories and references, personal stories and illustrations and historical background to this prayer that has existed for centuries. He also has some practical tips for building this prayer into your daily living.
I have to be honest here though, while this book was an easy read, I found myself just skimming the material. Somehow it failed to completely pull me in and failed to inspire me. I felt he never really connected with me as a reader. Disappointing and actually a little surprising since that doesn’t usually happen to me with a book on prayer.
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Have you read any good books lately? Please share in the comment section. I apologize ahead of time for not responding to your comment as we are traveling this week. I promise I will answer once we are back home.
Mrs. Wise.
Thank you very much for taking time to read my book and for your honest review. Greatly appreciated. May God continue to bless you and all that you love.
Everybody Needs Mercy,
robert gelinas
I love this simple breath prayer! Thanks for leaving a comment, I am sorry not to answer you in a timely manner but we have been traveling. I am happy to now be home for awhile. I have heard of Cynthia Bourgeault but not that book. Will check it out. Thanks for the suggestion
Sorry it has taken me so long to reply. We have been out of town. I am ready for some home time! I don’t know the book Why Pray and Refresh. Will check them out. Thanks! Jan I will also check out that website. You are a great source of info! Blessings!
I say this every single day! Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me. I gotta check this book out. Thank you so much for the lead.
Right now I’m reading The Wisdom Jesus, by Cynthia Bourgeault. Have you read it Jean?
Sometimes the information in a book is great but the writing doesn’t impact us. Not sure why. I loved Mary Haskett’s little book – Why Pray? and Ron Hughes has written Refresh – both have practical and biblical illustrations on how to talk with God.
I also blog at Under the Cover of Prayer.
Thanks for linking to Sunday Stillness.
Blessings,
Janis http://www.janiscox.com
Dear Jean
One of the books on prayer that made the most impact on my life, was the book of Madame Jean Guyon. I think I have told you about her. But another little book that I can recommend to anyone who desires to walk with God, is The Practice of The Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. I know you like the work of the mystics as well!
Blessings XX
Mia