<p>Prayer has been defined as an entreaty to a Higher Being. Most of us pray either when we need to accomplish something or when a cherished desire remains unfulfilled. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Our prayers carry well-thought out objectives. However, in its ideal form, a virtue like prayer exists for its own sake, beyond personal petitions and pleas. It is an empowering exercise across dogmas, theories and beliefs, a quest for both the strength within each of us and the immutable strengthoutside us.<br /><br />This raises a question. If there is no certainty that our prayers will be answered, does the act of praying have a necessary place in life? <br /><br />Pierre Curie, husband of Marie Curie, was stooping over a microscope in his laboratory. A student came in, and not noticing the microscope, thought he was praying. He was tip-toeing outside when Pierre called him back. ‘I thought you were praying, Sir,’ said the boy. <br /><br />Pierre answered, ‘I was, my son. All science and study is a prayer; a prayer that God will reveal his secrets to us. He is revealing Himself, His plans and His truths.’<br /><br />‘Prayer,’ said Mahatma Gandhi ‘is not asking, but longing of the soul. It is the daily admission of one’s weakness. It is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.’<br /><br />How relevant the observations of these great men are in the troubled times we live in! Prayer is everyone’s guide to a better life. It is the chance for self-appraisal so that we may gather the determination and strength for self-improvement.<br /><br /> Prayer is not for God, but for human beings, our own selves. In this sense, even the atheist who would rather build a hospital than a temple and do a good deed than sing a hymn is a person who prays.<br /><br />Wherever you may be, prayer can transport you to a place of peace. Dr. Alexis Carrel, well-known surgeon and Nobel Prize-winner, says ‘The influence of prayer on the human mind and body is demonstrable as that of secreting glands.<br /><br /> Its results can be measured in terms of increased physical buoyancy, greater intellectual vigour, moral stamina and a deeper understanding of realities underlying human relationships.’<br /></p>
<p>Prayer has been defined as an entreaty to a Higher Being. Most of us pray either when we need to accomplish something or when a cherished desire remains unfulfilled. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Our prayers carry well-thought out objectives. However, in its ideal form, a virtue like prayer exists for its own sake, beyond personal petitions and pleas. It is an empowering exercise across dogmas, theories and beliefs, a quest for both the strength within each of us and the immutable strengthoutside us.<br /><br />This raises a question. If there is no certainty that our prayers will be answered, does the act of praying have a necessary place in life? <br /><br />Pierre Curie, husband of Marie Curie, was stooping over a microscope in his laboratory. A student came in, and not noticing the microscope, thought he was praying. He was tip-toeing outside when Pierre called him back. ‘I thought you were praying, Sir,’ said the boy. <br /><br />Pierre answered, ‘I was, my son. All science and study is a prayer; a prayer that God will reveal his secrets to us. He is revealing Himself, His plans and His truths.’<br /><br />‘Prayer,’ said Mahatma Gandhi ‘is not asking, but longing of the soul. It is the daily admission of one’s weakness. It is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.’<br /><br />How relevant the observations of these great men are in the troubled times we live in! Prayer is everyone’s guide to a better life. It is the chance for self-appraisal so that we may gather the determination and strength for self-improvement.<br /><br /> Prayer is not for God, but for human beings, our own selves. In this sense, even the atheist who would rather build a hospital than a temple and do a good deed than sing a hymn is a person who prays.<br /><br />Wherever you may be, prayer can transport you to a place of peace. Dr. Alexis Carrel, well-known surgeon and Nobel Prize-winner, says ‘The influence of prayer on the human mind and body is demonstrable as that of secreting glands.<br /><br /> Its results can be measured in terms of increased physical buoyancy, greater intellectual vigour, moral stamina and a deeper understanding of realities underlying human relationships.’<br /></p>
