Biography:
Talbot was born into a Methodist family with a musical background in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and started learning to play the guitar at an early age. At age 15 he dropped out of school and was performing as a guitarist for Mason Proffit, a country folk-rock band formed with his older brother Terry.
Talbot embarked on a spiritual journey that led him through Native American religion and Buddhism to Christianity. At this point he and his brother, Terry, joined the Jesus Movement, recording the album Reborn which was re-released by Sparrow Records (originally released as The Talbot Brothers on the Warner Brothers label).
Two solo albums followed for Talbot: John Michael Talbot (1976) and The New Earth (1977). Both of these were produced by Billy Ray Hearn.
Reading the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, he was inspired to begin studying at a Franciscan center in Indianapolis. He became a Roman Catholic and joined the Secular Franciscan Order in 1978. He started a house of prayer, The Little Portion.
Talbot moved The Little Portion to Eureka Springs, Arkansas on land he had purchased during his Mason Proffit days. He founded his own community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, at Little Portion Hermitage as an "integrated monastic community" with celibate brothers and sisters, singles, and families. By 1989, Talbot had married Viola Pratka (with the permission of the Catholic Church). Pratka was a former Incarnate Word Sister who had come to the community in 1986.
Per the community's General Constitutions, Talbot's title is "General Minister and Spiritual Father". For many years, he has promoted the work of Mercy Corps.
The hermitage suffered a fire in April 2008 in which the chapel, library and many common areas were destroyed.
On April 10, 2010 the Bishop of Little Rock, Anthony Taylor, dedicated the new buildings. On October 2, 2010 the Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage celebrated the opening of the new monastery church and common center.
Jesus Prayer
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have mercy on me, a sinful one
Lord Jesus Christ, son of God
Have mercy on me, a sinful one
Maker of the bread from the wheat of my life
Savior of my soul, anointed Christ
Eternally begotten son
Lord Jesus Christ, son of God
Have mercy on me, a sinful one
Lord Jesus Christ, son of God
Have mercy on me, a sinful one
Forgiveness and love, when I stumble and fall
Compassion and mercy, have mercy, oh God
As far as the east is from the west, so far are our sins
In the mind of God through Jesus
Lord Jesus Christ, son of God
Have mercy on me, a sinful one
Lord Jesus Christ, son of God
Have mercy on me, a sinful one
Lord Jesus Christ, son of God
Have mercy on me, a sinful one
Lord Jesus Christ, son of God
Have mercy on me, a sinful one
Have mercy on me, a sinful one
The lyrics to John Michael Talbot's song "Jesus Prayer" center around the Christian tradition of repeating a simple prayer or phrase to focus your mind on Christ and ask for mercy. The opening lines "Lord Jesus Christ, son of God / Have mercy on me, a sinful one" are known as the Jesus Prayer and have been used since ancient times as a form of contemplative prayer.
The next lines "Maker of the bread from the wheat of my life / Savior of my soul, anointed Christ / Eternally begotten son / Yet born to this world through Mary" explore the Christian belief in the Incarnation - that Jesus was both fully God and fully human, born of a virgin. The image of bread made from wheat is also a reference to the Eucharist, where bread is consecrated and believed to become the body of Christ.
The following lines "Forgiveness and love, when I stumble and fall / Compassion and mercy, have mercy, oh God / As far as the east is from the west, so far are our sins / In the mind of God through Jesus" highlight the central themes of Christian theology: that God is merciful and forgiving, and that through Jesus Christ our sins can be forgiven and we can be reconciled with God.
Overall, the lyrics to "Jesus Prayer" are a simple yet powerful reflection on the core beliefs of Christianity and the deep need for mercy and forgiveness that we all have.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord Jesus Christ, son of God
Acknowledging Jesus Christ as the son of God, the Messiah and Savior of the world
Have mercy on me, a sinful one
Admitting personal sinfulness and the need for mercy and forgiveness from Christ
Maker of the bread from the wheat of my life
Recognizing Jesus as the source of sustenance and nourishment for spiritual life
Savior of my soul, anointed Christ
Affirming belief in Jesus as the chosen and anointed one who saves souls
Eternally begotten son
Acknowledging Jesus as having been begotten, or uniquely born, of the Father in a way that is eternal and divine
Yet born to this world through Mary
Recognizing the traditional Christian belief that Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary in human form
Forgiveness and love, when I stumble and fall
Recognizing that Jesus offers forgiveness and love even when one falls or makes mistakes
Compassion and mercy, have mercy, oh God
Praying for God's compassion and mercy, particularly in times of need
As far as the east is from the west, so far are our sins
Acknowledging that God's forgiveness is boundless and removes sins to a degree that is beyond human comprehension
In the mind of God through Jesus
Realizing that God's mercy and forgiveness are mediated through Jesus, the divine son
Writer(s): JOHN MICHAEL TALBOT
Contributed by Christopher C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.