The Importance of Prayer

The Importance of Prayer
Prayer is the respiration of the soul, the intimate bond with one's Creator and Savior. Prayer is primarily an intention of the soul. As the body breathes continuously, so must the soul also constantly strive to get closer to God. The soul is a little like a plant needing water and fertilizer to grow and develop.

Therefore, whatever our state of life (lay or consecrated) and occupations - personal, professional or public - the interior recollection in silence before God is the most important attitude of prayer, putting us in contact with the One who is our source, the Source.

As for the various forms of prayer, they differ along with the very variety of every individual soul in its intimate dialogue with the Lord.

Some people think - erroneously - that if laudatory prayer is something positive, intercessory prayer is somewhat inferior, since "one cannot change God' heart, He who knows our needs better than we do"... Of course, we cannot change God's heart through prayer, but it is God Himself who changes our hearts as well as those for whom we pray... That is stated in the Qur'an:

“Therefore remember Me, I will remember you and be Gratefull to Me, and reject not faith” (Al-Baqara:152).

“When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way” (AL-Baqara: 186, Translated by Yusuf Ali).

For if prayer cannot change God's heart, without prayer the door of our soul remains closed and the power of God will not go in by force.