JOIN USMahatma Gandhi described prayer as “the key of the morning and the bolt of the evening”. What he emphasised by this description is that our days must begin and end with prayer.
The reality, however, is in stark contrast to this model. Modern man with his long list of to-dos in a day, chasing the rainbow of wealth and fame over the horizon, finds little time for prayer on a daily basis.
If this situation could be reversed and sometime scheduled in a day for prayer, our lives, spiritual thinkers vouch, will be transformed from a mundane one into a far more fulfilling experience. This is because prayer can do wonders for men.
Prayer can lighten the burdens that men are called to carry daily. Prayer has the power to strengthen man’s faith in God, paving the way for courage and hope for all of life’s trials and disappointments. Prayer is a balm and tonic for pained spirits and weary bodies.
Prayer provides self-control, wisdom, patience and perseverance to deal with life’s temptations and sorrows, strife and discord. Prayer is the only answer to the many questions that surround the mystery of life. Prayer is the golden key that will unlock the door to a great spiritual experience. In short, prayer is the missing link in man’s search for inner peace and wisdom that gives him the grace to accept God’s divine providence in all of life’s situations.
Spending time in daily prayer has always been the mark of all men who have lead a life of substance. Martin Luther King Jr vouched, “Prayer is the most important thing in my life. If I should neglect prayer for a single day, I should lose a great deal of the fire of faith.” The same sentiment was shared by Mahatma Gandhi, too, who said, “Without prayer, I should have been a lunatic long ago.” There is no doubt that immense grace and peace will pour into the heart and soul of the man who makes prayer a daily habit. This tool of prayer is a simple device to practice.
In the words of Mother Theresa, “Let your prayer be filled with love and come from the deepest of your heart. Pray with great respect and trust. Fold your hands, close your eyes and lift up your heart to the Lord. Let your prayer be pure sacrifice to God. Let your heart speak. Praise the Lord with all your soul. Words will come like that from the bottom of your heart and you will find joy in prayer. Stop once in a while by a word and think it over, let it sink to the bottom of your heart. Keep them during the rest of the day, they will bring peace.”