Prayer is a gift to every human being from God; a gift given, so that we can all talk to him anywhere and at anytime.
Some people pray without paying much attention. They say a few words and then finish. As a prayer that’s okay but I don’t think you can feel anything profound from it.
When you want to pray, set your mind on God. From my experience, if you focus on God and then pray you will certainly feel calm and spiritual. You sense that God is indeed hearing your prayer. I start by thanking him first and then praising him for all the benefits we are receiving from him. Even before you start praying, try and notice if you have any hurtful or negative feelings towards anyone. If so, then try to initiate the process of forgiveness, so that the Lord almighty can forgive you also. This is standard Christian philosophy and I adhere to it in my day-to-day life. Furthermore, if we ask God for anything then we must firmly believe in it. If you have faith, to paraphrase the Bible: you can move mountains, if in your heart you believe that it can be done. Don’t forget that we are God’s temple. God’s spirit lives within us all the time.
You need clarity while you pray, so set up your mind and focus on God. This will help you open up your spiritual eyes. Clarity means seeing without fog. With physical eyes you may not see spiritual things. Here’s a metaphor for example: macular degeneration (a degenerative eye condition) means a journey into the fog because your central vision is completely gone. So when you focus and pray and communicate with God, you are opening up your spiritual vision; he will certainly give you answers. The more you pray, the more you feel closer to God. Why? Because your spiritual energy is rising within you. More prayer gives more strength. Prayers are wonderful and can cause wonderful miracles.
Even if you have lived a good life, one that is close to God and honorable, it does not exempt you from troubles. We all have to learn lessons during our journey so that we can be closer to God. Sometimes hardships and the consequent understanding/enlightenment can produce a sense of peace. No one can take that away from you. People who get hurt in this life are often kind and good people, they know what it is to suffer and they don’t want anyone else to suffer.
I had a very bad experience a few years ago. Through prayers I learned that in the darkest hours there is hope. I’d like to share this story with you, as it was life changing for me.
About seven years ago, my son was ill with a life-threatening respiratory ailment. I still cry when I remember those days. In our deepest darkness, God stretched forth his mighty hand and healed my son who was almost doomed to a hopeless condition. Actually he was on his deathbed and even had an out of body experience for a few minutes. But God was there, watching over him and working through the staff to help him get better. God gave my son a new life to live. During those days we survived through the power of constant (tear-filled) prayer. It was a most beautiful blessing that God heard our prayers and answered them.
The doctors basically stated that he wouldn’t live; and that the only hope of survival would be the advantage his young age (24 years) would provide and also through the strength of our faith. My son was so lifeless, bone thin and weak. The doctors even said he couldn’t walk again, but we always had faith that he would. As we believed would happen, God did heal him and also enabled him to walk again. I knew God would never leave my son in a wheelchair. He started walking after three months. He was hospitalized for a total of four months. God gave us strength to take care of him through physiotherapy and massages, lots of hard work and through encouragement. God the father through our lord and Savior Jesus Christ saved him from death. All these experiences make me so thankful all the time. I don’t know how God miraculously brought us out of that terrible stress filled experience. It was a miracle. So when you pray please don’t doubt it. Believe in God’s power even more. I hope my experience can give you some hope, if anything. God’s power is there within you and it surrounds you.
