Definition of a prayer

A devout friend of mine who immerses herself in stotras, slokas, kirtans and bhajans, upon seeing that I am not as well-versed in these as her, asked me surprised, “How do you pray without chanting these?” Of course, chanting God’s various names and singing His praises make prayers attractive but a prayer need not always go with them. In other words, how does one define a prayer?

Every religion has a place of worship where community as well as individual prayers are held. Mass prayers for global and public causes too are carried out here. Families set aside places in their homes for the family deity and prayer.

Yet, prayers being the communion between oneself and The-One-Above and a subjective and personal affair, should transcend barriers of time and place, fringes and frills. It is the inner voice communicating its fears, insecurities, problems and dreams to the most trusted ears to be unburdened and hence is often need-based, age-based, silent and instant.

Hinduism, with its pantheon of gods and goddesses devotes specific days on its almanac for celebrating them based on birthdays or important events in their lives. Thus we have Janmashtami and Ramanavami, birthdays of Lord Krishna and Rama respectively, Dussehra, symbolising Mother Durga’s different manifestations, to name a few. Weekdays too are earmarked for different gods and goddesses. This gives enough scope for devotees to offer special and specific prayers according to their needs and desires.

Prayers could also be for thanking the Almighty for some favours, or just keeping us safe and alive or a routine reverent remembrance of the power above. The topic of prayers will be incomplete without an anecdote from our moral science class where the lecturer encouraged us to write down our doubts on life and drop them in a box. I posed the following question: “What happens when a person’s prayer clashes with that of another?’ Our lecturer, a nun, commented “This child has taken God’s problem in her hands!” Yet, she replied, “God does what is best for both!” Yes, a true prayer is the one wishing for positive things, both for ourselves and for those around!