Prayer, the Greatest Gift
In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart. ~ Mahatma Gandhi
Once while I was attending a School of Ministry in my twenties, I had to write a paper on the subject of “Prayer.” It was a fascinating study and volumes could be written about those most versed in the subject, the different types of prayer, and the many beautiful prayers that have been written. At the end of my paper, I pointed out that the purest kind of prayer is when a person simply becomes prayer. Becoming prayer is a true expression of the heart of God.
In heartfelt devotional prayer, one breaks the earthbound chains that hold us to our fears, our angers and our doubts. It evokes a deep feeling of trust, and the love of God is felt intimately and profoundly. In prayer, our wounds are closed and healed, and forgiveness springs up from a deeper well of compassion and understanding. In prayer, tears often take the place of words, as some things simply cannot be expressed in our limited understanding and knowledge. I believe that prayer becomes the truest form of therapy available to mankind as we disconnect, even if just for a moment, from the identification of so many negative thoughts and feelings. Our tears bring healing to our hearts, and the very fabric of our brain chemistry changes as we become one with God through prayer.
There are some who pray to an angry external god, one who seems to enjoy inflicting pain and terror in the hearts of men. Those types of prayers are motivated by fear, hoping to escape this god’s anger for their own lives, yet participating in inflicting pain on others. I believe that the motivation for this type of prayer is self-serving and its sacrifice is wasted. Praying in this manner reveals great ignorance of the true potential that lies within all of us and of the understanding that God is a loving deity.
The God of love, who embraces through gentleness and understanding, has no need to be worshipped out of fear. He simply is! He has no need for revenge and punitive punishment to shame mankind into doing the right thing. His abiding seed is within each of us, and it is this understanding that shows us that the Kingdom of God is within - which will bring lasting changes into our relationships and into this world.
Prayer is the greatest gift that God has given to mankind. When one is engaged in prayer, a vision of peace and love is exalted far above all else. With radical honesty, this vision can change our own hearts and the very heart of this world. This type of prayer is motivated by love and love alone. It is important to understand that the influence that prayer has on others, as well as on the events around us, is not to be taken lightly. It is a powerful tool that can and will bring changes. It is available to all, without exception, and those who understand this realize what a responsibility and a privilege it is to pray.
God is the most profound reality and prayer is the purest and simplest way to experience that reality.
“Pray without ceasing for this is the will of God.” I Thes. 5:17
What a wonderful piece of prose, so full of penetrating insights. My wife works for the Church of England and we often visit old historic churches. I love to sit admiring the beautiful architecture and if there are few visitors, meditate about life. One can almost sense the presence of the saints in some of the ancient buildings in the UK. I particularly like to light a candle for people in trouble. Only yesterday I was in Worcester Cathedral, near the tomb of King John, lighting a candle for someone dying of cancer, and trying to make sense of the spiritual aspect of life. Thanks Viola for sharing your thoughts.
Comment by quantum — July 9, 2007 @ 2:33 pm
Very nicely written Viola. Thank you. I believe prayer is essential to fulfill our destinies. Our gifts are not of us, but through us. Apart from conscious contact with the God of our understanding we, as humans, we will limit our potential service to God and our fellows. Thank God that we, as humans do not have to figure everything out. God knows! Thanks again for the reminder to pray Viola!
Comment by Craig — July 9, 2007 @ 7:49 pm
Very nicely written Viola. I do hope that you are doing well. I miss seeing you around my blog. Please do keep my daughter in your prayers as her Doctors appointment is next week.
Comment by Rose — July 9, 2007 @ 9:08 pm
I admire much the topics you choose to write about.
you have just put your hand on one of the important factors of man’s life.
you exposed your ideas very well and summed it in your last sentence:
God is the most profound reality, and prayer is the purest and simplest way to experience that reality.
Thank you.
MAR
Comment by MAR — July 11, 2007 @ 12:41 pm