Power of Prayer

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Prayer elevates the mind. It fills the mind with purity. It is

associated with praise of God. It keeps the mind in tune with God.

Prayer can reach a realm where reason dare not enter. Prayer can move

mountains. It can work miracles. It frees the devotee from the fear

of death, brings him nearer to God and makes him feel the divine

presence everywhere. It awakens in him the divine consciousness and

makes him feel his essential immortal and blissful nature.

 

It was the prayer of Prahlada that rendered cool the burning oil when

it was poured on his head. It was the prayer of Mira that converted

the bed of nails into a bed of roses and the cobra into a flower-

garland.

 

Prayer has tremendous influence. Mahatma Gandhi was a great votary of

prayer. If the prayer is sincere and if it proceeds from the bottom

of your heart (Antarika), it will at once melt the heart of the Lord.

Sri Krishna had to run bare-footed from Dvaraka on hearing the heart-

felt prayer of Draupadi. You all know this. Lord Hari, the mighty

ruler of this universe, apologised before Prahlada for coming a

little late when the latter prayed. How merciful and loving is the

Lord!

 

Say even once from the bottom of your heart: " O Lord, I am thine. Thy

will be done. Have mercy on me. I am Thy servant and devotee.

Forgive. Guide. Protect. Enlighten. Trahi. Prachodayat. " Have a meek,

receptive attitude of mind. Have Bhava in your heart. The prayer is

at once heard and responded to. Do this in the daily battle of life

and realise yourself the high efficacy of prayer. You must have

strong Astikya-Buddhi (strong conviction in the existence of God).

 

Christians have different prayers for getting various gifts and

bounties from God. Mohammedans and all religionists have daily

prayers at sunrise, noon, sunset, just before retiring to bed, just

before taking food. Prayer is the beginning of Yoga. Prayer is the

first important Anga (limb) of Yoga. Preliminary spiritual Sadhana or

practice is prayer.

 

God helps even a dacoit when he prays. Pray to God for purity,

devotion, light and knowledge. You will get these things. Get up

early in the morning and repeat some prayers for getting mental and

physical Brahmacharya. Pray in any manner you like. Become as simple

as a child. Open freely the chambers of your heart. Sincere Bhaktas

know pretty well about the high efficacy of prayers. Narada Muni is

still praying. Nama Deva prayed and Vittal came out of the image to

eat his food. Ekanath prayed. Lord Hari showed His Chaturbhuj form.

Sri Krishna served Damaji as a servant when he prayed; He played the

part of a menial in paying his dues to the Badshah. What more do you

want? Pray fervently right now from this very second. Do not delay,

friend. That 'to-morrow' will never come.

 

The power of prayer is indescribable. Its glory is ineffable. Only

sincere devotees realise its usefulness and splendour. It should be

done with reverence, faith and Nishkama-Bhava (non-expectation of

fruits), and with a heart wet with devotion. O ignorant man! Do not

argue about the efficacy of prayer. You will be deluded. There is no

arguing in spiritual matters. Intellect is a finite and a frail

instrument. Do not trust this. Remove now the darkness of your

ignorance through the light of prayer.

 

(Source: Essence of Yoga by Sri Swami Sivananda)