Talking To Yourself
From this inner conversation (you can do it if you wish), give it the following short prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me!” and compel it, in place of all other thoughts, to have only this one constant cry within. If you do this continually, with your whole attention, this practice will in time open for you the way to the heart which I have described. There can be no doubt about this, for we have proved it ourselves by experience.
—Nicephorous,
Profitable Discourses on Sobriety
In the noise of everyday life, our minds are often scattered—pulled in a hundred directions by worries, distractions, and desires. But there is a way to quiet the storm within: the simple, sacred practice of turning our thoughts into prayer. The ancient words, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me,” are more than a plea; they are a pathway. Repeated with attention and sincerity, this prayer becomes a rhythm of the heart, drawing us inward to a place of stillness where Christ Himself meets us. It is not about eloquence, but about focus—compelling every stray thought to bend toward communion with God. With time, this prayer can open the door to the heart, softening us to the presence of Christ and transforming even the mundane moments into sacred space. When practiced with humility and perseverance, it leads not just to inner quiet, but to a deeper awareness of God’s mercy and nearness. In a world that prizes complexity and noise, we are invited into the simplicity of a single cry that echoes eternity: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.” In that cry, we are not lost—we are found. —DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics