Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Prayer is a Confession


Gandhi Quoteof the day: "Worshipping God is singing the praise of God. Prayer is a confession of one's unworthiness and weakness. God has a thousand names, or rather, He is Nameless. We may worship or pray to Him by whichever name that pleases us. Some call Him Rama, some Krishna, others call Him Rahim, and yet others call Him God. All worship the same spirit, but as all foods do not agree with all, all names do not appeal to all. Each chooses the name according to his associations, and He being the In-Dweller, All-Powerful and Omniscient knows our innermost feelings and responds to us according to our deserts.
Worship or prayer, therefore, is not to be performed with the lips, but with the heart. And the prayers of those whose tongues are nectare but whose hearts are full of poison are never heard. He, therefore, who would pray to God, must cleanse his heart. God was not only on the lips of man, He was enthroned in his heart. He gave man exhaust less strength. In His strength he lifted the mountain and crossed the ocean. That faith is nothing but a living, wide awake consciousness of God within. He who has achieved that faith wants nothing. Bodily diseased he is spiritually healthy, physically poor, he rolls in spiritual riches.
The language of the lips is easily taught; but who can teach the language of the heart?God Himself seeks for His seat the heart of him who serves his fellowmen...
Repeating the same thing at prayer from day to day is objected to on the ground that it thus becomes mechanical. (However) the point is not whether the contents of the prayer are always the same or differ from day to day. Even if they are full of variety, it is possible that they will become ineffective. The Gayatri verse among Hindus, the confession of faith (kalma) among Muslims, the typical Christian prayer in the Sermon on the Mount have been recited by millions for centuries every day; and yet their power has not diminished but is ever on the increase. It all depends upon the spirit behind the recitation. If an unbeliever or a parrot utters these potent words, they will fall quite flat. On the other hand when a believer utters them always, their influence grows from day to day."

Today's thought:


Oh my soldier why
learn to kill
learn to die
Oh my soldier why.

Have a sunny day. Fine Art and Jewelry.




4 comments:

Amy Lilley Designs said...

MARVIN GAYE...the best!!!!

Laura Winslow Godsil said...

Thanks for your comment Amy - and I agree!

Anonymous said...

"It all depends upon the spirit behind the recitation."

As I was reading this post I was waiting for this line and then when it came it was one of those 'Aaaaahhhhh yes!" moments where we feel happy and warm inside just to hear a truth we already know but never get tired of hearing. Simply lovely!

Laura Winslow Godsil said...

You always make me smile - All alone at the computer, reading your comment , and grinning ear to ear to ear! Thanks Robin.