Prayer - G Bhalachandran

Each one of us, irrespective of our religious background, was introduced to ‘prayer’ by our parents when we were young. In religious families, where the routine-life is filled with some activities or other, ‘prayer’ has an important role to play. Some people visit a place of worship regularly and offer their prayers. Of late, there are quite a number of devotees who associate themselves with some spiritual organization and involve themselves in social service which they believe to be true ‘prayer’. Listening to spiritual discourses, participating in devotional group singing, visiting the places where yagnas or consecration of the place of worship take place, pilgrimaging, etc., are also considered prayerful activities. But, what exactly is ‘prayer’?

In common parlance, ‘prayer’ has three components. First is the person who prays; the second is the person who accepts the ‘prayer’; and the third is the content involved in ‘prayer’. Since our childhood, we have been told that there is a supreme Godhead who answers our ‘prayer’. Naturally, for children, ‘prayer’ assumes the form of a supplication.

‘Prayer’ can emanate from a person when he/she is utterly helpless or in great distress.

© G Bhalachandran (Reader in Economics, Sri Sathya Sai University (Accredited at A++ level by the NAAC), Prasanthinilayam 515 134 (email: gb1979@rediffmail.com).

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