What's the difference between 'The Jesus Prayer' and Scrupulosity?

Question

I'm reading the book Franny and Zooey, and it's about the Jesus Prayer.
The Jesus Prayer is where you have to continuosly pray "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." untill it becomes so regular, you do it without even thinking.

This sounds a lot to me like a form of OCD called Scrupulosity. Scrupulosity is where you pray continuously becasue you feel that you aren't bieng forgiven. Which is kinda what The Jesus Prayer is saying.

Do you see what I mean?

Someone explain the difference to me, casue it's confusing why anyone would make themselves have OCD.



[[PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE NO haters in here. If you came in here just to be mean, leave now.]]

I know what i'm talking about.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Prayer

Answer 1

I've never heard of that before.

Answer 2

OCD and mantra-like prayer are different. The Jesus prayer can be practiced in some range of ways, but typically the spirit of it is to let go of other distracting concerns and to open yourself up at a more intimate level. It's about quieting your mind and praying with your heart, or with your "body."

For some practitioners, words drop away entirely and they find themselves worshiping God with all that they are (and with the bare fact that they are at all). It brings to mind the Psalms verse, "Be silent and know I am God." And for a few, the realization is finally experienced that everything they do is a prayer -- a wakeful, appreciative communion with the Source of life itself.

The Jesus Prayer form of contemplative worship has been most deeply explored in the Eastern Orthodox churches, especially the monastery of Mt. Athos. But its principles are similar to those of Centering Prayer as taught in our day by Thomas Keating (a Catholic monastic).

OCD conditions are anxiety-based defenses. It's a whole different deal, involving ultimately ineffective attempts to avoid negative and feared feelings.

I guess in short you could say the OCD person engages in ritual-like behaviors to shut themselves off from the truth, while someone practicing the Jesus prayer is looking to open themselves to experiencing ever more truth.
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Answer 3

I think bodhidave gave a pretty good explanation. For me, the Jesus prayer is more of a form of meditation. It focuses the mind and body around the relationship of oneself to Christ. And eventually the whole mind and body become engaged in an act of prayer - to the point where even after the words drop away, the very act of breathing itself becomes a prayer.

Peace to you.

Answer 4

Don't know about the other, but the Jesus Prayer is NOT a prayer for Jesus not to hurt us or send us to hell (like the children's game of "mercy"). The Greek word for mercy actually has to do with a blessing or annointment (like for the sick) and is a positive thing. It's related to the word "Christ" (and "chrismation").

Also, it's not supposed to be just about "me." The word "me" here refers to the Body of Christ, so when you pray it, you are also praying for others.

Answer 5

I love that book. I love the quotes painted on the back of the door in their brothers room. While it accurately describes the Jesus Prayer it is more a cultural application of it, than a religious one. A book you might appreciate is called 'Jesus, the teacher within' written by Laurence Freeman. It is a very thorough examination of contemplative prayer.

Answer 6

Prayer loses its purpose when it´s done without thinking, so obvously that´s not the point.

When my Grandma was dying of ccr, she used to repeat this same prayer that you mention over and over. To me it didn´t look like empty words at all. Rather it seemed like there was nothing more important to her than for every word to count. (I joked to her that she will say it so many times that one day Jesus will actually do it.)

Her prayer was resolute, almost compulsive, but it was clearly goal oriented and voluntary.

OCD is different. The behavior is not a way of acheiving a goal, but a way of concealing a repetitive thought that is unbearable to the patient. For example, he may have the recurrent thought of harming someone (obsession), know it to be unacceptable, and distract himself by a repetitive action (compulsion).

There are many forms of compulsive behavior, including religious (eg. going to confession 10 times a day), but again, the person is trying to supress an underlying obsession, rather than performing a voluntary, goal oriented action.

Answer 7

It is an act of humility. Asking for forgiveness to Jesus. Like a son asking or saying sorry to parents.

Papa or Mama, sorry.

Answer 8

Or, you could do like the Hindus and put the prayer on a wheel and spin the wheel.

I'm sorry, but Jesus warned against vain repition. When you pray, sincerely talk to God about what's on your heart. Tell Him what's troubling you, thank Him for the good things in your life, ask for His grace to make it through another day, etc. etc. But talk to God from your heart.

Besides the prayer Jesus taught us to pray went something like, "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name", etc.

God bless you in your efforts.

Answer 9

OCD -- irresistably compelled to do it, little regard to time or place, extremely difficult to stop.
Non-OCD -- done at a time and place of one's choosing, able to stop at will and direct attention to something else.

From what I gather, it's mostly meditation, and that's something you can choose to do.

Answer 10

A very offensive and very wrong idea of yours.
jtm