True prayer is the heart

Often we get messages, emails or phone calls saying that someone is not well, or recuperating after a surgery or admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICU). Lately, I received two emails informing that a friend of mine is recovering from a major operation and another one about a friends’ wife receiving treatment in ICU. It was really sad to hear such news. We always feel grieved hearing such sorrowful news because of our close intimation with the unwell persons.

Often, we want to express our sincere feelings to these ailing persons. So, we call them, send SMS or bouquet of flowers to them or their family members. If possible, we want to visit them personally to show our deep concern. Often times, in such occasions we are requested to say prayers for their speedy recovery.

Sometime ago, a friend of mine used to visit sick persons admitted in hospital to say prayers for them at their bedsides. Although he does not know them personally, he visits and chats with them to give assurance of speedy recovery. Before he leaves, he says a prayer for them, if they permit. He also leaves behind a copy of the recited prayer.

What a novel gesture! If all of us can emulate his act, many sick persons will find some relieve while recuperating at hospitals.

Saying prayers is a special way to show our care to the sick persons. What is actually a prayer? In a healing prayer, words are uttered for one’s good health and speedy recovery of the ailing person. In such a prayer, the ailing one is remembered and thought of.

Actually, the very thought of the ailing person in our mind is already a prayer. True prayer is the heart. Prayer is from the sincere heart. The words said in prayer contains genuine concern for the person remembered. By this mere act of focusing on the well-being of a person, the sick person’s illness gradually improves. This is the special potency of prayers. Mahtama Gandhi once said prayers is the most potent instrument of action if it properly understood and applied.

Recently, the air tragedy involving MAS killed many passengers and crew members. We need to remember them in our prayers. It is really soothing to hear that many prayers gatherings are held for the departed souls. Such gatherings are really wonderful and humane in nature. Only human beings can demonstrate such compassion, concern and sympathy to other fellow human being at times of perils and difficulties.

Let us all always pray for ailing people and down-trodden ones, whether we know or we don’t know them. Prayer should not be resort in times of trials and afflictions only, but rather become a way of life. Only we, as human beings can offer prayers for the well-being of fellow being.