Prayer through the lens of a layman
Teach me to pray lord, teach me to pray
This is my heart cry, day unto day
I long to know thy will and thy way
Teach me to pray lord, teach me to pray
- Albert S.Reitz
E.M bound asserts "Prayer should not be regarded as duty which must be performed but rather as a privilege to be enjoyed, a rare delight that is always revealing some new beauty". During my childhood days, my dad used to coerce me to recite the rosary (prayer), even though I was indolent, drowsy and not interested. My parents and religious teachers often tried to elucidate the significance of prayer in once life, but their words expressed no meaning to me because the doors to difficulties were still closed. When I was pursuing my Engineering degree, the difficulties encountered during my exam opened the doors for prayer, but this prayer was a "beggars prayer" which only desired favors. Frequently I was disappointed because my favors were not granted and the results from the exams were awful. When I was pursuing my Masters, even though I was faring well in my studies, I had several other responsibilities and difficulties which trampled my faith in Prayer . The sermon given to me/ us every Sunday made absolutely no meaning to me . It was at this crucial time I began to analyze what exactly is prayer? what is the need for prayer? and what is the essence of prayer? I wouldn't be surprised if many of you are baffled about prayer . This article aims at analyzing prayer in a different yet meaningful angle.
Prayer in depth can be defined as a carefully cultivated God's awareness in our minds, an exclusive interaction with our creator/controller, profound reintrospection of ourselves, an excellent opportunity for transformation, a unique opportunity to develop a attitude of eagerness and love, an initiative to obtain a source of protection from miseries and difficulties of life, an opportunity to remember to remain humble, patient and tranquil.
Most of us acknowledge the fact that God does not provide all that we seek, we pray for our family/ friend who are on their death bed for speedy recovery but unfortunately they pass on to the next world, we pray to save our relationship/employment; but seldom miracles happen, instead we end up being disappointed. Frequently our prayers remain unanswered and many of us lose faith in prayer. It is very important to know that prayer is not a quick fix to our never ending problems neither it is a algebraic magical formula to end disappointment/ frustration. At this point I would like to quote the words from the famous hymn "In his time" sung by Maranatha singers;
In His time, in His time,
He makes all things beautiful in His time.
Lord, my life to You I bring,
May each song I have to sing,
Be to You a lovely thing, in Your time.
In Your time, in Your time,
You make all things beautiful in Your time.
Lord, my life to You I bring,
May each song I have to sing,
Be to You a lovely thing, in Your time
These words are an excellent reminder to us that God answers our prayers only when he desires to answer and not when we want them to be answered. This leads us to think that God knows what we want and when should it be granted, Definitely he understands the needs and desires of each human being on earth.
Then why do we pray ?
Each individual will have his/her own answer to the above mentioned question. In my opinion my daily prayer consists of three parts.
Prayer for emotional stability: "Lord I request you to grant me this day essential wisdom to handle my emotions/feelings carefully, courageously, in obedience to your principles, understanding that your principles are the only source for emotional health, vitality and abundant joy. Let me make conscious judgment of the people whom I meet today without thinking negatively." This is my opening prayer everyday before I begin my day. Anger, Anxiety, Impatience, frustration, stress, depression are a part and parcel of our everyday life.
Being in the sales side of Engineering, I frequently interact with people from different countries, frequently I encounter people who are angry, irritable and mean. After my interaction with them I used to feel irritable, short tempered, lost concentration and grouchy which made me feel that negative emotions were highly infectious. After being frequently out of mood I designed this prayer and remembered it whenever I encountered a "moody person". This prayer is advantageous in many different ways
To attain tranquility easily and quickly
To obtain patience
Excellent way of self control
Helps in expanding the boundaries of tolerance
Positive thinking
Teaches the art of forgiveness
Reintrospection of our conscience: Buddhists believe that mind and consciousness are the primary subjects for introspective investigation. Sinful activities like Murder, War, Rape, Torture violence (religious too) is the fruit of an undisciplined mind which has become an unreliable instrument for examining ones consciousness. To discipline one's mind emotional stability is very important. Reintrospection of one's consciousness through one's mind provides an excellent opportunity for improving one's life. I spend few minutes everyday reiterating all my days activities, if I have created some blunder I think about the ways which would help me resolve matters, many a times I have obtained solutions during this brief moment of reintrospection. The world would be a better place if each one us examine our consciousness on a daily basis.
Acceptance:"Lord my life to you I bring, May each song I have to sing, Be to you a lovely thing, in your time" The song of difficulties, misery, depression are the integral part of one's life. Many a times our mind and consciousness prevent us from accepting this song of life. Prayer seeking acceptance not only helps us to withstand difficulties/ miseries but also provides us a opportunity to consciously accept our fragile lives and respect , understand the lives/feelings of others.
As we step into the year 2010, among various other resolution, let us make a resolution to examine our consciousness for the betterment of ourselves and the society. In conclusion I would like to recite a beautiful prayer which I recite daily
" My Father I come into your presence as I begin this beautiful day. I come to find Wisdom so that I will not make those foolish mistakes that I made yesterday, so that I will know when to speak and when to keep silent, when to act and when to refrain from action.
My farther I come to find peace so that nothing may worry me or upset me today, I come to find courage to be patient to accept disappointment knowing you will turn all things for my good.
My farther I come to find love so that nothing makes me bitter unforgiving and unkind, Father you are my provider and I know that you will provide my days need.
Father you are my protector keep me this day free from all attacks from powers of darkness. Provide me with good insight of my duties and responsibilities. Thank You Lord"
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