by This question has been bothering me for days, weeks, and yes ~ a couple of months now! A plethora of information on the internet only confuses me further. So I decided to go back to basics.
Well, Q1) What is a prayer?
Here’s what I could relate to best – a prayer is a solemn request for help or an expression of thanks addressed to God.
Correct, we pray for passing marks, to get over an illness, and immediately after a wedding to thank for the start of a new life!
Q2) Why prayer is important?
Hmm.. so I was looking for that one reason why should I pray. To my amazement, I found 6 of them. Read on to know more…
- It’s important because mom dad taught us to do so – Prayer is an act of obedience. It’s built into our existence.
- When I have difficulty recalling the answer to an exam question, I pray. Prayer helps finding a solution to a problem.
- Well mostly we are god fearing people but sometimes we need to “talk” to him. Remember the dialogue from Deewar ‘aaj khush tto bahut hoge tum” – Prayer is a channel we create to communicate with god!
- Every time i have to send out a difficult email, i join my hands and speak aloud – Jai Mata Di and only then click Send. – Prayer helps gain strength and confidence.
- And yes, evil exists: disease, illness, person, or mere thoughts. – Prayer is how we rebuke the evil.
- Most of all, i pray when my legs are shaky, hands sweaty, and heart is pacing. Prayer brings calm & stability – it’s therapeutic.
Once I was convinced with the what and why of prayer – I juggled with the how?
Q3) How best to pray?
At the time when I was browsing searching, introspecting, trying methods & meditation, reading and reciting mantras, a friend sent this – call it the law of attraction, selective attention or mere chance.
Here’s a perfect answer of how to best pray –
Prayer doesn’t just happen when we kneel or put hands together and focus.
When you hug a friend that’s a prayer.
When you cook something to nourish family and friends, that’s a prayer.
When we send off our near and dear ones and say Drive Safely or Be Safe, that’s prayer too.
When you are helping someone in need by giving your time, energy and money, you are praying.
When you study for you upcoming exam in all honesty, you are praying.
Prayer is a Vibration.
A feeling.
A thought.
Innocence.
Prayer is the voice of love, friendship, genuine relationships.
Prayer is in being calm, in solemnly wishing good not only for yourself but for others too!
And if you are like me, who still wants an anchor mantra to hang onto. Recite these beautiful verses, the literal translation to English for which means:
May all be happy
May all be free from disease
May all realise what is good
May none be subject to misery!
Amen!
This is lovely, Deepti. This gives a fresh perspective of what a prayer is and how to do it. I feel less guilty of not going to a temple to pray because I think I’m praying when I’m creating something, or even helping someone. Thanks for these beautiful writings.