Prayer is very powerful. We turn to prayer in need, to give thanks and seek blessings. And prayer helps us cope. Reflecting on why prayer is powerful can help us understand ourselves better.

We pray to a Higher. And whatever be That for us, we connect through our prayer. We invoke a power beyond our physical, emotional and intellectual being. Prayer Connects us.

And we have never seen the Higher though we have represented it in a statue, symbol, picture, a sacred place or any way we feel best. And yet we accept Its existence. Prayer builds our Faith.

In challenging times we seek guidance and help. And with tears of helplessness when we invoke the Higher, we unshackle our limitations. Prayer teaches us true Surrender.

And we pray to give thanks – for the blessings in our life and the benevolence of Grace. Prayer builds our Gratitude.

And true prayer is our personal conversation. A conversation we have with love and reverence. Prayer is an expression of our Love.

And this Higher is no magical force available only to few selected people. Nor is there a secret formula. Nor does one have to necessarily follow any organised form. In essence the Higher exists within us. 

And just as the mirror reflects the light when the dust is removed, our reverence in prayer dusts off our ego, allowing our limitless Consciousness shine through. And when we tap into our Love, Knowledge and Joy within and face life as true instruments of the Higher, situations become favourable and manageable. And we feel our prayer has been answered.

And through regular ardent prayer, we discover our true Self and realise that living a life of love is the highest form of prayer.

I’m reminded of my favourite couplet – “Ghar Se Masjid hai bahut door, chalo yun kar lein, kisi rote hue bache ko hasaya jaaye”  (The place of worship is far away from home, so let’s do this – let’s make a crying child smile)