God Hear Our Prayers

Aum Sairam

Does any one know how to pray right? I heard that god doesn't answer my
prayers because I don't pray the right way...so what is the right way?

Before praying we need to understand the meaning of the word prayer.
What does praying mean in every religion... are prayers different for
different religions. Is it that for one a prayer has one meaning and
different for the other?

Praying to God, the Almighty Creator carries equal meaning for all. God
never differentiates! In praying we ask of God for something. Even if
we do not ask for any material benefit for our own self we may ask for
the welfare of others. We may not ask of God something for us but for
the benefit of others... still, it is not necessary that our prayers
would be answered.

No one knows where lives God. None has ever seen him. Even the
representative of Jesus Christ on Mother Earth... the reverend John
Pope Paul can also not vouch for having seen God at any stage of his
life. Nor can any bishop or father or a priest! God is always hidden
from mankind... he cannot be seen but always felt! He exists
everywhere. In the eyes of God all are equal... he never differentiates
between a king and a commoner.

How is it that one is a king and the other a laborer? It is only our
thinking which makes one a king or a laborer. And while saying our
prayers it is only our thinking that shall affect the results of our
prayers. If we merely wish anything it is most likely that our prayers
shall remain unanswered. We need to perform our karm [the sum total of
all deeds performed by us] in daily life in a way that our wishes get
fulfilled. Only when we perform the right karma and also pray to God
for the results of our prayers in right earnestness... they get answered!

It is not something God has bestowed upon us... we have rightly earned
it by performing the right pious karma. Most people in their prayers
wish for something that is not contemporary of their karma. We cannot
expect mangoes to grow on a guava tree! What we get resulting our
prayers will be in full conformity of our actions performed.

In prayers we simply need to ask God for something... but we must also
offer to God something equivalent in return. If we need money then we
must commit to God for doing some charitable work for the community
where we live. Only then God hears our prayers. Prayers are never a
one way communication. God never commits to us anything that we do not
deserve. We get paid according to our karma. If we perform a sin then
hoping for a miracle in prayers is something we call wishful thinking.

There used to be a priest who believed in God to the utmost. He prayed
and practiced everything in the name of God. His faith in the God was
unwavering.

One day it so happened that the village in which he lived was deluded
with mighty rains that converted into a massive flood. As the
floodwaters encircled the house of the priest... he seemed to be the
least concerned. In spite of the fact the whole village was getting
emptied on utmost priority... he was at complete ease!

Sooner the floodwaters began to rise and reached the top of the first
story of the house. He observed that a log floated by... he could have
swum to safety clinging on to the log but he felt there was nothing to
be worried about. All this... in spite of the fact the priest did not
know how to swim.

After some more time when the floodwaters reached the danger mark... a
boat passed by and the occupants of the boat insisted upon him to take
a seat but he refused. He had un flailing faith in God and did not worry.

Finally the floodwaters reached the top of his house... if he did not
make an escape right now... he would be drowned. And as luck would
have it there came a helicopter and the pilot insisted upon him to
catch the ladder thrown by him but he refused and drowned.

When he reached the gates of heaven and was presented in front of God,
he enquired of him that in his lifetime he never failed to pray to God
never committed a sin yet God did not help him when he needed him most
and he died.

God replied! My dear son whom do you think it was who sent the log,
then the boat and finally the helicopter!

In the circumstances, can we still say that mere wishful praying would
get answered? Yes, we always get help from God in different ways but
still we need to perform our karma in a manner that our hopes and
desires get achieved.

Allah Malik