Discovering the purpose of prayer

By Dr T. Selva

“Why pray? What’s the purpose?”

These inquiries often surface among the younger generation, who attribute their achievements solely to hard work rather than prayer.

Belief in prayer is personal, yet connecting with a higher power holds value. This spiritual foundation serves as a guiding light, bolstering our pursuits.

While the necessity of prayer varies greatly depending on individual beliefs, values, and cultural upbringing, the potency of contemplation should not be underestimated.

From a young age, I’ve been taught the importance of demonstrating reverence.

For many, invocation is a channel to commune with a higher authority, find solace, seek guidance, express gratitude, or reflect on personal convictions and principles.

There’s no denying that prayer holds central importance for countless religious followers as a means to commune with their divine beings.

It provides them solace and a sense of purpose and nurtures a sense of community.

I am currently in Chennai, India, on a sacred mission. I met members of a tour group from the United States and Australia during my stay.

The foreigners have invested thousands of dollars and travelled thousands of miles for a 16-day spiritual and cultural exploration of South India.

To the spiritual tourists, India is the universe centre for spirituality because of its rich and diverse divine heritage, with many religious and philosophical traditions that have originated and flourished within its boundaries.

India is the birthplace of various religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, and home to numerous spiritual leaders, sages, and saints.

Many worldwide consider India a source of holy wisdom and enlightenment due to its long history of spiritual practices, meditation, yoga, and philosophy.

A tour member from Perth stated that he took the trip to visit the sacred sites and to connect with the higher power.

Although he does not engage in temple worship, he firmly believes in the presence of a divine entity who listens to and responds to the prayers.

Prayer can be viewed from two perspectives: as a fact of life and as a belief.

From a sociological and anthropological standpoint, prayer is a fact of life.

Humans have engaged in practices described as prayer across cultures and throughout history.

Prayer is a universal phenomenon observed in virtually every human society, whether through formal religious rituals, personal meditation, or silent contemplation.

It involves communication or communion with a higher power, the divine or the sacred.

On the other hand, prayer can be understood in various ways depending on personal beliefs and cultural backgrounds.

For some people, prayer manifests their faith, belief, and spirituality. It is a subjective and intimate experience rooted in their religious or spiritual convictions.

Prayer involves believing in a higher power or divine entity that hears and responds to believers’ requests.

So, while prayer is a fact of life in that it’s a widespread human phenomenon, its significance and interpretation are deeply intertwined with individual beliefs and cultural practices. Whether one sees prayer as a fact of life or a faith often depends on one’s perspective and worldview.

Here are ten reasons why prayer is beneficial.

• Positive mindset: Believing in the power of prayer can promote a positive mindset and reduce anxiety levels. This optimistic outlook can strengthen well-being and resilience when facing life’s challenges.
• Hope and comfort: During difficult times, prayer can serve as a source of hope and comfort, providing reassurance, solace and strength.
• Connection with others: People find community and support through shared prayer. Believing in the power of prayer can strengthen social connections and create a sense of belonging.
• Guidance and clarity: Prayer can provide guidance and clarity by helping individuals reflect on their values, goals, and decisions.
• Coping mechanism: Prayer can be a helpful coping mechanism for dealing with adversity, loss, or grief. Believing in the power of prayer can give you a sense of resilience and perseverance in the face of life’s challenges.
• Promotion of forgiveness: Prayer is often a way to seek forgiveness and extend forgiveness to others, which helps to promote reconciliation and healing.
• Increased Gratitude: Prayer can increase satisfaction and positivity by expressing gratitude for blessings.
• Stress reduction: Prayer can promote relaxation and reduce stress by providing calm and inner peace.
• Improved mental health: Regular prayer can improve mental well-being by fostering positive thoughts, reducing anxiety, and providing a sense of meaning and purpose in life.
• Spiritual contentment: Prayer is a vital aspect of the spiritual practice and relationship with a higher power for many people. Believing in the effectiveness of prayer can strengthen this spiritual connection and add to a sense of purpose and satisfaction in life.

Although the benefits of prayer cannot always be scientifically measured, many people find value in prayer for spiritual expression, personal growth, and emotional well-being.

Refraining from doubting the efficacy of prayers can positively affect one’s well-being, resilience, and spiritual journey.

It allows individuals to tap into the transformative power of prayer and reap its benefits in their lives.

Award-winning author Dr T. Selva is a speaker and writer of the bestseller book Vasthu Sastra Guide and Secrets of Happy Living. To purchase a copy of the book, Whatsapp Devi at 0412623017. He can be contacted at drtselvas@gmail.com Facebook: Vasthu Sastra