By Naftali Silberberg
 | The essence of prayer has little to do with its content. This also explains why we pray when all is well.
11 Comments Posted
I understand it is good to pray with intent even when we are not in a time of distress. However, the whole shmone esrei (Amidah prayer) is filled with requests as if I am in distress even if I am not sick, or poor etc. How can I make this meaningful when I dont need it at that moment?
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A wonderful and insightful writing
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1) Even if, thank G-d, you are not ill or needy, I'm sure you know others (or know of others) who are. We're all in this together... Notice that the requests are in plural form, "grant US..."
2) See a wonderful article by Yanki Tauber that illuminates this issue -- the importance of asking G-d for our physical needs -- "A Glass of Milk" (www.chabad.org/4767).
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Surely you know people who need each of those things? If you really don't know anyone who needs help of any kind then please thank G-d for his generosity, and then think "of the people in X hospital", the people on welfare, etc. Remember, these blessings are for the basics of life, if G-d has been so very kind to you, thanks and gratefulness are appropriate.
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Yes it is good to pray with intent even not in a time of distress.
The first three blessings of the Shmone Esrei are purely praise of G-D, the last three aren't requests per-se either.
The middle thirteen have plenty of requests that we still need 1. Wisdom, always need that. 2. Return to G-d, yup. 3.Forgiveness. 4. Redemption, I Do. 5. Health, thank G-d I have it, but I still want to keep it... 6. Sustenance, same here. 7. Ingathering of the Exiles... 8. Restoration of Jewish courts. 9. Informers, Backstabbers, from our own or otherwise?G-D spare us! 10. Hope. 11. Rebuild Jerusalem (howabout not deviding it again G-d forbid). 12. Moshiach Now! and finally... 13, ANSWER ALL OUR PRAYERS! whatever they are (petty things too).
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when you are ill or have fever and are not able to pray, it is such a wonderfull feeling to know that "klal Yisrael" is praying for you- Others ask G-d for you to heal you .
As for instance in the Amida, when you pray for "macotenu". And the ill one feels like a baby in mothers arms. Nothing can happen, all is well. G-d listens with faithful love. It is good to be G-ds child and on top of it: to be Jewish!
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Before her death my Bubee told me she talked to our Heavenly Father throughout the day, all day long. Her life showed it.
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I would pray to have health restored to persons really ill. But, I always felt uneasy asking for myself. I always felt it is trivial and wouldn't want to disturb G-d from other important matters. Now I get the sense that it is ok to speak, pray to G-d any time, that I will not be a bother him.
I hope this is true. I would hate to bother him with my pain, problems, fears when he has so much more imprtant things to take care of.
Thank you for listening.
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Every day and night , when I pray from the bottom of my heart , I know for sure G-d is listening to me. I always tell or write others, "May G-d be with you" , because million times he answered my prayers . It might take time ,but he'll answer you. Right when you are starting to get disappointd, just watch and be alert for the signs he's sending you. Think good and it will be good !!
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In 2008 I prayed to G-d two especially hard prayers, as it was in regard to my loving husband and his health. G-d answered both prayers, and am very thankful. That isn,t and wasn,t the first time I prayed to G-d. I try to pray everyday.
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We are directed by English grammar to have a subject (at least) and often an object. Jewish prayer as translated commonly continues to mix this "voice", sometimes it's from the Torah or other Biblical writing ... the infinte is directing "you should" and sometimes it's prayer from humans "You do" ... the distinctions are mixed up. I think this is one of the reasons that the synagogue services and hisbodedus / speaking out loud to God seems confusing, difficult. Time for new translations / introductions / reconsiderion of seder tefilat.
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