Text Box: PRAYER A materialist considers this life to be a machine, the parts of which are being run by the blind forces of cause and effect, and he does not admit that there is and ultimate Being who is directing it. But one who knows the reality, while agreeing that the law of cause and effect is working, further knows that this is being done under the orders and directions of a Supreme Being. He, therefore, while keeping an eye on the causes and their effects, appeals to the Lord, the Supreme cause, for help, and surrenders gladly to His Will and Pleasure. The Lord may do whatever is good for him, for it is only the Lord who knows what is good for him. If the result is in accordance with his wishes, he is thankful. If it is not, he submits to it cheerfully, because he knows that whatever is happening is in accordance with the order and will of the Lord. He asks for the Lord’s help at every step, because e knows that there is always something that is beyond the reach of his own efforts. Crying for help in this way is called Prayer. Prayer is a universal feeling, which a person feels when discomforts trouble, disease, danger or calamity visits him and he wishes to avoid these things; or when he wishes to satisfy some bodily need or obtain spiritual gain; or when he wants strength to face some difficulties because he does not find sufficient power in himself, or when he wants the help of a Powerful being. We see everyday that we are often obliged to ask some stronger or more capable person to help us. When a student cannot solve a problem, he seeks the aid of his teacher. Similarly, in the case of illness, we ask a physician to treat us. A subordinate asks his officer to help him. These are example of a kind of prayer. When we face any difficulty or an enemy pursues us and we find no refuge, we ask for help from the Powerful Lord of the Universe or from persons in whom He is Manifest. This is called Prayer. It is natural to ask a more powerful or more able person to help us, and it is all the more natural to turn for help to that Supreme Power who is the Lord of all regions and universes and is their Creator, or to one who is one with Him. The fact is that we cannot help praying to Him. All the religions say that supplication to the Lord is the way to obtain grace of every kind. It is only through prayer that spiritual advancement can be achieved. Prayer is the most natural, direct and easy means of connecting individuals with the Creator, and connecting the slave with the Lord. Every seeker needs prayer from the beginning to the end, until he realises the Lord and merges in Him. Through prayer, all bodily, religions, national and social needs are fulfilled. The ailments of mind and body are eliminated, and prayer ultimately becomes the means of bringing about the union of the soul with the Lord. What things so ever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them. Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you; for every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. It is seen, however, that people ask thousands of things and all of their prayers are not granted. Then what is the meaning of the above words Let us see which kind of prayer is granted, and why every prayer cannot be granted. The problem is that we do not know the mercy of the Lord, and ask for things that are not for our real good. That power wants our evolution and progress. When that power finds that what is asked for would involve the devotee further in the world, He does not grant it. If the Lord does not grant us the things we ask for, in order to save us from sinning, this is for our good. “You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts.” We are entangled in bodily and sensual pleasures. Our vision does not rise above then. If we were to receive all we ask for, we would certainly be involved in more sensual pleasures and our sins would increase. Also in this connection it should be understood that man is merely one part in the machine of the universe, and is related to all other parts. Our vision being limited, we cannot see beyond ourselves and our surroundings. But the Lord can see the whole of the universe. He knows everything from the beginning to the end. The Lord knows our past, present and future. He knows when a thing asked for it is not of our good, and therefore does not grant it. It often happens that a seeker asks for something, which is not to his real advantage. He presses for it, and a promise may be made, but the thing is not given to him. We should always pray to the Lord: “O Lord! I know nothing. I have been sold into the hands of the mind. O my Well-Wisher, lead me to that which is for my good. Show me the path that leads to your pleasure and to my salvation.” It is said in the Holy Quran: “O Lord, give us in this world that which will help us hereafter also, and save us from the suffering of hell.” A saying: Your daily duty is to pray before the Lord. This is your real work. Never ponder whether or not your prayer has been heard in the court of the Lord. That is His Prerogative. Our prayers should be in harmony with the will of the Lord, and we should feel happy in whatever He wills. To pray effectively, it is necessary that we should conduct our life as desired by the Master, and that we should experience happiness in the remembrance of the Lord. The prayer that can redeem sinners and cure physical, mental and spiritual diseases must be made with full faith in the Lord and the conviction that He is all-powerful. The prayer is right which is full of yearning and pangs. It should be made with patience and full confidence, and with a loving heart in all humility and submission. O mind! Stand in awe of the Lord. However low, even the lowest of the low, He calls him to Him. When you pray in this way, you express gratitude for favours received. Gratitude cannot be expressed by mere words that have no connection with our conduct. Feel happy in remembering the Lord and He will fulfil your desires. Christ says: “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto your Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Ceaseless effort to make our life pure and truthful is true prayer. This draws to us the mercy of the Lord, and His grace and limitless blessings then fulfil the sincere and pure desires of our heart. By merely asking of the Lord that we may love Him, we do not, as a matter of fact, begin to love Him. But if we consciously pray for a truthful and pure life and try to elevate our life, we will then be moulded as He wills and will begin to realise His presence and to share His love.