Simeon Archbishop of Thessalonica+ on the Jesus Prayer Continued…
“The clergy must be diligent in this prayer as though it were apostolic work and divine preaching, as the one activity which brings about divine effects – one which demonstrates the love of Christ. Let those who are in the world work at this as a sealing of themselves a sign of their faith, a protector, sanctification, and expeller of every temptation.
All Christians, clergy, laity and monks, when rising from sleep must first think of and remember Christ. They must offer this remembrance to Christ as a sacrifice and first-fruits of every thought (Hebrews 13:15). For we must remember, before every thought, Christ Who saved us and has loved us so greatly, for we are, and are called, “Christians”. We put himon by divine Baptism (Gal. 3:27), and we were sealed with His Chrism. We have partaken, and do partake, of His holy Body and Blood. We are His members (I Cor. 12:27) and His temple (II Cor. 6:16). Him do we put on, and He dwells in us. For this reason we are obliged to love Him and remember Him always. Wherefore, let everyone devote time, according to his ability, and have a certain amount of this prayer as an obligation. And this suffices concerning this matter, for this is a sufficient amount of instruction for those who seek concerning it.”
(Orthodox America, Volume 2; Part 2)