How has prayer helped you?

[VeiledArtist]

If you're from any religion or spiritual path and value the act of prayer how has it helped you in your walk and purpose?

I'm not a believer and never was raised religious but I have recently found how prayer can enrich a person's life. Unfortunately, most resources are christian ones so I can't relate to the emphasis on scripture, belief in a creator, and jesus, but I assume both based on my experiences and just talking with people we can learn from other religious traditions without needing to adhere to them. I'm new so getting my feet wet and getting to know the forum atmosphere, but none the less what is prayer to you and how has it helped you on your walk?

 

[Daze]

Prayer is literally your direct connection to the Almighty. It is an act of gratitude for all that we have been given, day in and day out.. A practicing Muslim will pray 5 times a day, 7 days a week. This might seem excessive but it keeps one conscious of God and it reflects in his day to day dealings. For example a shop keeper will be less inclined to cheat you when he is physically reminded of the Almighty through out the day.

Worship is the reason we were created, it is literally the meaning of life. The Almighty makes this clear in the Quran. While there are many forms of worship such as a kind word to your parents or a smile at your neighbor. Prayer is the highest form of it. It is a physical manifestation of thankfulness for your daily bread, clothing, shelter, ect.

Sujood (prostration) is the closest you can get to your Creator in this life. We see this is the way Jesus prayed in the Bible, with his forehead on the ground. If you want enrichment in your life, then call on the One who has absolute control over every atom.

Prayer will certainly build a relationship between you and your Maker. If God wills you will see it manifest into your life as prayer is a protection from many things. As long as you call on Him alone, without partners, you will find Him.

The reality is that there is no god but God, the one who gives life and commands death itself.

 

[A Freeman]

If you're from any religion or spiritual path and value the act of prayer how has it helped you in your walk and purpose?

I'm not a believer and never was raised religious but I have recently found how prayer can enrich a person's life. Unfortunately, most resources are christian ones so I can't relate to the emphasis on scripture, belief in a creator, and jesus, but I assume both based on my experiences and just talking with people we can learn from other religious traditions without needing to adhere to them. I'm new so getting my feet wet and getting to know the forum atmosphere, but none the less what is prayer to you and how has it helped you on your walk?

What is commonly referred to as prayer is actually telepathic communication with our Creator.

Through that communion/communication, we can ask questions and express our gratefulness, but we can also receive wisdom, guidance and warning in the moment. That should hopefully help explain the need to be in constant communication with our Creator, so that He can guide and protect us at all times.

In Psalm 46:10, we are instructed to calm the mind (clear it of all of the "self"-generated human garbage that floats through it throughout the day) to make contact (commune) with our Creator.

In Matthew 6:5-8, we are instructed that when we pray, we are NOT to go to churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, etc., like the heathens and the hypocrites do to be seen by others, but instead to go to pray/communicate with our Creator in privacy and with humility. And when we approach God exactly as He has instructed, He will reward us openly for doing so.

This instruction is repeated throughout the Koran/Quran, e.g. in Sura 4:142, 7:55, 9:107-111, 33:33, and 107:5-6.

That privacy can be sought in a closet, or some other quiet place and, with practice, it can and should eventually be in the quiet privacy of your own mind, regardless of where you are or what you're doing.

Also, to be humble and thus not waste our Creator's Time, His Law and His Story (the Scriptures) should be personally read, studied and put into practice, which itself will answer many of the questions that may come to mind. It's extremely important to bear in mind that this has absolutely NOTHING to do with ANY organized religion or their traditions, rites and rituals, which are repeatedly condemned throughout the Old Covenant, New Covenant and the Koran/Quran.

The rewards for striving to establish constant communication with our Creator are out of this world, and thus beyond words.

May peace be upon you on your journey.

 

[VeiledArtist]

Have both of you worked with a prayer journal before?