Yes, Prayer works - but not always in the manner we intend. We may not receive a particular benefit that we seek, but prayer draws us closer to God. It establishes a line of communication with the Lord and builds His presence in our minds. And yes, many times our specific prayers are granted - although not always as we expect.
Prayer is a key, which opens many doors. Whether we are giving thanks or seeking help for others, or ourselves we are working to understand our relationship with the Lord. Some prayers are affirmations of His glory, but in all prayers we seek to draw closer to God. "Prayer is the very breath of religion, for it brings man and God together and with every sigh, nearer and nearer” Baba
Prayer has been described in its sublimity as "an intimate friendship, a frequent conversation held alone with the Beloved". The most important part of any prayer, whether it be a prayer of petition, of thanksgiving, of praise of Lord, or of confession, is the introspection it provides, the moment that we spend looking inside ourselves, seeing our role in the universe and our relationship to God and emphasizes the One to whom prayer is directed. For an observant Sai devotee, prayer is not simply something that happens in temple once a week (or even four times a day). Prayer is an integral part of everyday life. Observant devotees are constantly reminded of Sai's presence and of our relationship with God, because we are continually praying to Him.
Our first thought in the morning, even before we get out of bed, is a prayer thanking Sai for returning our souls to us. Prayers are to be recited before enjoying any material pleasure, such as eating or wearing new clothes; before performing any acts; upon seeing anything unusual; at the site of a great tragedy; whenever some good or bad thing happens; and prayers to recite before going to bed at night. All of these prayers are in addition to formal prayer services, which are performed every weekday and at additional times on festivals and holy days.
Many people today do not see the need for regular, formal prayer. "I pray when I feel inspired to, when it is meaningful to me," they say. This attitude overlooks two important things: the purpose of prayer, and the need for practice.
One purpose of prayer is to increase awareness of God in one's life and the role that God plays in one's life. If one will only pray when one feels inspired (that is, when one is already aware of God), then one will not increase their awareness of God.
In addition, if one wants to do something well, one has to practice it continually, even when one doesn't feel like doing it. This is as true of prayer as it is of playing a sport, playing a musical instrument, or writing. The most important part of prayer is the introspection it provides. Accordingly, the proper frame of mind is vital to prayer.
The mindset for prayer is referred to as "bhavah", which is generally translated as "approach", "intent" or "devotion".
The minimum level of bhavah is an awareness that one is speaking to God and an intention to fulfill the obligation to pray with devotion. If one does not have this minimal level of bhavah, then one is not praying; they are merely reading. In addition, it is preferred that one have a mind free from other thoughts, that one know and understand what one is praying about and that one think about the meaning of the prayer. Sai Satcharita details the prerequisites of prayer as explained by Baba generally referred to as nine forms of devotion.
Does Prayer Really Work? - How Do we Start?
When we begin our new spiritual life, our desires are like a runaway train. It is impossible to stop them immediately. We can only redirect them along channels which reduce the risk to ourselves and others. If we switch the train to an uphill track, it will gradually lose its momentum and we can regain control. Prayer is the uphill track for our runaway desires. Until we direct our aspirations along proper lines, it is best to steer them to God. The Lord knows what is best for us; He will help us to direct our efforts along with right lines.
From the very outset it is necessary for us to practice the habit of regular prayer. A regular time and place for prayer helps us to quickly concentrate and reach a state of calm. Regular prayer makes us aware of God's omnipresence and attracts His grace..
God knows what we seek, but it is up to us to ask. In asking we make a conscious choice of what path we wish to follow. We ask for specific results and thereby accept the consequences of those results.
We must ask for what we want, but our actions should not contradict our words. If we pray for greater love, we cannot continue to harbor hate. If we long for humility, we cannot continue to strut about in pride. When we pray we must also do our part to fulfill the request. We cannot receive grace before we have made our own best effort to secure our objective. Our thoughts, words, and deeds must all support our prayer.
No one can instruct another when or how that person should pray. All of us have different needs and attitudes. What is appropriate at one time may not be at another time. The values and languages of different cultures also vary. It is not possible for us to evaluate the worth of another person's prayer, for all speak to God in their own ways. It is not the words we use or the form of God we address that gives prayer its power; it is the devotion in our hearts.
"The stamp of bhakti (devotion) is what makes the prayer reach the destination, God; not the festoons, the fanfare, the heap of flowers, or the festive nature of the feast offerings. The simple, sincere heart is the stamp that makes the prayer travel fast" Baba
Prayers are not always answered immediately. Many of us wish for one thing today and for another thing tomorrow. We must show that our prayer is a heartfelt need. It must be sincere and pure to reach th
e Lord.
Does Prayer Really work? - What should We Pray for?
In prayer we need not request anything at all. Prayer may be best used simply to draw us closer to God - to bring God into our lives and attract his grace. Prayer can then enable us to experience the joy and bliss which God c
Its is best to pray for results which reduce desires and promote peace, love, and understanding. These are the proper objects of prayer, they are the special gifts of God which are not available in any shop. Perhaps the wisest object of prayer is for the removal of the obstacles which block our spiritual progress. Persistence may be required for us to obtain our goal, but tenacious effort builds spiritual strength. The difficulty of our journey sometimes grants us added fortitude, as the strongest steel is forged in fire. If we listen to our living hearts, not to the rationalizations of our minds, we will concentrate on proper goals. The heart is a wiser guide and is the source of true prayer and communion with God.
It is important to pray for benefits which further spiritual progress. When we experience difficulty in fulfilling our wishes, it may be that we need to examine and possibly change our attitude rather than present circumstances. Many times the things for which we pray are obstacles to our spiritual progress. In fact, it may be best for us that most of our prayers are not granted. It is not always possible for us to determine the consequences of our desires.
The following story illustrates this point.
A young man once had a simple wish - he prayed for a job so that he could leave his parents' home. Next, he prayed for a wife to cook for him and provide a home for him. With wife came children, so he prayed for a big house to put them in and a car to carry his family around town. Then he needed a better job to support all his obligations. Finally the poor fellow was so burdened by his many responsibilities that he only wished to retire into the forest alone to meditate. Unfortunately his spiritual prayer could not be granted, because all of his previous prayers for material benefits had been granted.
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