True prayer is an adventure
Today in this brief 3-minute-read, we will reflecting on the essence of prayer, unveiling for the first time: type 1 & type 2 prayers and finally the list of prayer that will get answered.
How often we feel, miracles should happen every time we pray. If not miracles, atleast some cosmic help to resolve our problems. Or how about, expecting for a celestial whisper, or a mystical directional indicator, or an angel to guide us while we’re stuck in the middle of a battle.
If we step back a bit, hope we are not in the mindset assuming god as a ‘cosmic-butler’ instantly dispensing our needs & demands. Imagine, if all our desires in life were fulfilled today. There is a reason, why Teresa of Avila said, There are more tears shed over answered prayers than over unanswered prayers.”
If God were a cosmic butler, we would have been in real distress. Because, all our desires are not in our best interest. Can you recall for a moment, few of the things you desired that came true, but it didn’t serve you well or worse back fired.
The list of self-shame might be just opening up, but hold on. You got the point; it is best some of our prayers well go unanswered. However, it is a fact, in some phases of life; we are desperate to find an answer to our prayers: but are we praying with the right technique & the appropriate mood? Every prayer has a technique with an underlying mood:
Type 1: Routine prayers
It is portrayed by;
· muttering copy-pasted prayers,
· visiting temple on weekends,
· limited to a specific time, &
· then expecting for a miracle.
Nothing wrong with the technique of routine prayer. It should be part of our life both individually & collectively. Naïve & critical people often undermine the power of routine prayer; however it ensures to keep us rooted to our culture & tradition.
Although it is routine, yet it is akin to a tiny tender sprout with the potential to become the tree of devotion bearing the sweet fruits of love of godhead. But the growth of our faith in lord can get severely arrested if we are in a constant begging mode.
Only if we reflect deep enough, the answers are already there. We don’t need God to answer from the sky, the answers are already in there—the Bhagavad Gita. God, I asked for purpose, and you said it's woven into my inner calling (BG 18.60)), God I sought for sustenance (God says, I have already given you talents identify them (BG 18.42-44)), God, I yearned for happiness, and you whispered: embrace life's adventure (BG 11.33)). God, I craved for love, and you responded: love is found in selflessness (BG 3.41). Our hopes & prayers are destined to doom, if we are under the illusion that the solutions to our life problems will be auto-answered by a celestial voice. Nope. Only, if we give up lethargy & pray sensibly there is a great revelation from God awaiting on our doorstep.
Type 2: Meditative prayer
It is characterized by;
· deeply engaging words infused with emotions
· there is live running conversation with god
· expressing without any reservation
· seeking for strength before diving into action
· it is a meditation on the holy name, &
· in playing our part, letting God’s miracle to unfold.
The purpose of routine prayer is to bring us to the state of meditative prayer, which involves avoiding treating god as a cosmic butler (he is God, until he fulfills my whish list, as a candy vending machine). Instead of outsourcing our whish list to god, a better way would be, embracing the challenges akin to a lifting weights. Because god wants us to grow stronger & mature from behaving as a 2-year-old crying for candies.
Prayer that gets answered
Here is an alternate practical list of prayers that will get answered like a miracle: “What am I doing now that is slowing my progress in life?” “What are those habits that are undermining my true character as a responsible child/sibling/spouse/citizen?” “What are those things that I can do, and I would do, to make my life worth living?” “How can I make my spiritual habits more engaging on a daily basis?” “What is holding me back: Is it laziness? Or fear of failure? Or rejection?” You can frame your prayers in similar lines.
How about shifting our relationship with God from a begging and giving model to a more mature and reciprocal one? Letting God play His part in the right time while 'we' take stock of our lives with grace and gratitude. That's a lifestyle powered by faith, allowing the plan of the Lord to naturally manifest on the horizon of our vision.
I hope you found a fresh perspective on prayer—one that is adventurous, engaging, and draws your heart closer to the divine. Remember, the journey with the Lord is a dynamic and transformative experience.
May your prayers be filled with purpose, and may your connection with the Lord, be a source of strength and inspiration. If this resonated with you, don't forget to upvote, share, and reflect.
Until next time…