Daily Prayer for Inspiration and Peace Question

[lewismilton]

Hey everyone,

I've been looking for ways to bring more inspiration and peace into my daily routine, and I was wondering if any of you incorporate daily prayer for this purpose.

How do you structure your prayers?

Are there specific words or practices that you find particularly effective?

I'd love to hear about your experiences and any tips you might have for making prayer a meaningful part of the day.

I’m especially interested in how prayer has impacted your sense of peace and inspiration.

 

[dybmh]

Hi Lewis,

How do you structure your prayers?

I start with simple material gratitude. Then proceed to making a commitment to acknowledging my faults and reasserting my intention to prevent them in the future with God's help. Then I recall the great miracles in Scripture, particularly the immaculate oneness of The Most High and the privilege of receiving divine guidance on the path of life. In the following moments of simultaneous intellectual awe and heartfelt love, I petition the Almighty on behalf of myself, my family, my community, past present and future. Then.. I return, back to earth, trying not to crash. Sometimes. It's not so graceful. And my prayers are anointed with tears.

I'd love to hear about your experiences and any tips you might have for making prayer a meaningful part of the day.

Sadly, I doubt my advice would be useful without getting to know you a little better. Intentional prayer is a service of the heart, is it not? A service of the heart which is elicited from the mind? I'd need to know about what's happening in your heart to offer good advice. Particularly, if there's anything... blocking the flow of emotions.

I’m especially interested in how prayer has impacted your sense of peace and inspiration.

Peace? Can you, in your mind, perhaps when your eyes are closed cultivate a sense of peace? profound peace? Lasting peace? A peace, without any endings and even, without any beginnings? Eternal peace?

Inspiration? for peace? I use the Hebrew word Shalom. I am inspired by its meaning and etymology. I am even inspired by its form when it is written, and the way my mouth is moving while saying it, and the sounds which are produced when it is articulated. Shalom. But that's me. I'm a strange fellow. Ask anyone who knows me.

Blessings to you Lewis. I hope this is helpful for you,

 

[JustGeorge]

Hey everyone,

I've been looking for ways to bring more inspiration and peace into my daily routine, and I was wondering if any of you incorporate daily prayer for this purpose.

How do you structure your prayers?

Are there specific words or practices that you find particularly effective?

I'd love to hear about your experiences and any tips you might have for making prayer a meaningful part of the day.

I’m especially interested in how prayer has impacted your sense of peace and inspiration.

I don't have any structure.

Its not that I don't think it would be nice, its just that structure is a luxury I can't afford. So, I pray where I am. When I can.

I pray to Vayu as he surrounds me. I pray to Bhumidevi as I lay upon her. I pray to Aphrodite when the heart calls, to Krishna when I'm losing sight of the joke, and to Shiva when I can't take the pain anymore. I bow and give reverence to Mary when I walk past the church up the street. I request the blessings of my grandfather when I feel alone. I acknowledge the spirits of the trees, the flowers, and those I don't know by name.

Sometimes a memorized prayer is comforting. Sometimes I enjoy reading a new prayer. Sometimes I just open the heart and let come out what may, good or ugly.

I don't know how this has affected my peace and inspiration. Its just part of who I am.

 

[dybmh]

I don't have any structure.

Its not that I don't think it would be nice, its just that structure is a luxury I can't afford. So, I pray where I am. When I can.

I pray to Vayu as he surrounds me. I pray to Bhumidevi as I lay upon her. I pray to Aphrodite when the heart calls, to Krishna when I'm losing sight of the joke, and to Shiva when I can't take the pain anymore. I bow and give reverence to Mary when I walk past the church up the street. I request the blessings of my grandfather when I feel alone. I acknowledge the spirits of the trees, the flowers, and those I don't know by name.

Sometimes a memorized prayer is comforting. Sometimes I enjoy reading a new prayer. Sometimes I just open the heart and let come out what may, good or ugly.

I don't know how this has affected my peace and inspiration. Its just part of who I am.

I love this. Improvisational prayer? That's what I call it.

"I acknowledge the spirits of the trees, the flowers, and those I don't know by name." <---- me too. It feels good, doesn't it? It looks foolish, but, I even talk to them. They never answer my questions. ... ... it's probably for the best.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Are there specific words or practices that you find particularly effective?

"Thank you." / "Shalom"

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Hey everyone,

I've been looking for ways to bring more inspiration and peace into my daily routine, and I was wondering if any of you incorporate daily prayer for this purpose.

How do you structure your prayers?

Are there specific words or practices that you find particularly effective?

I'd love to hear about your experiences and any tips you might have for making prayer a meaningful part of the day.

I’m especially interested in how prayer has impacted your sense of peace and inspiration.

Hello Lewis, prayer is a perfect way to start the day. As a Baha'i we have a large selection of prayers available. A good one we can consider in the light of current world conditions is that for prayers of world peace.

Spoiler: Peace Prayer

O Thou kind Lord! Thou hast created all humanity from the same stock. Thou hast decreed that all shall belong to the same household. In Thy Holy Presence they are all Thy servants, and all mankind are sheltered beneath Thy Tabernacle; all have gathered together at Thy Table of Bounty; all are illumined through the light of Thy Providence.

O God! Thou art kind to all, Thou hast provided for all, dost shelter all, conferrest life upon all. Thou hast endowed each and all with talents and faculties, and all are submerged in the Ocean of Thy Mercy.

O Thou kind Lord! Unite all. Let the religions agree and make the nations one, so that they may see each other as one family and the whole earth as one home. May they all live together in perfect harmony.

O God! Raise aloft the banner of the oneness of mankind.

O God! Establish the Most Great Peace.

Cement Thou, O God, the hearts together.

O Thou kind Father, God! Gladden our hearts through the fragrance of Thy love. Brighten our eyes through the Light of Thy Guidance. Delight our ears with the melody of Thy Word, and shelter us all in the Stronghold of Thy Providence.

Thou art the Mighty and Powerful, Thou art the Forgiving and Thou art the One Who overlooketh the shortcomings of all mankind.

— ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

A Selection of Bahá’í Prayers

The website of the worldwide Bahá’í community

www.bahai.org

Regards Tony

 

[JustGeorge]

I love this. Improvisational prayer? That's what I call it.

"I acknowledge the spirits of the trees, the flowers, and those I don't know by name." <---- me too. It feels good, doesn't it? It looks foolish, but, I even talk to them. They never answer my questions. ... ... it's probably for the best.

Meh... I don't bother about looking foolish. Its something I'm really good at!

Sometimes they answer my questions....

 

[dybmh]

Meh... I don't bother about looking foolish. Its something I'm really good at!

So what's your secret? You make it look so easy... and graceful.

It's like comparing a swan dive with a belly-flopper.

Sometimes they answer my questions....

You're hired. I have some serious questions for Great-grandfather Cedar. And if possible? Would you please find out? Pretty please? Do the big leaf maple know how much I love them? I love them a lot a lot.

Also, ooh. This is something I really want to know. Mr and Mrs Birch? By the river? Will you ask them, for me, is it true? They'll know what I'm asking. If not, ask a follow question, Daniel Yosef wants to know how do you do it???. Then smile and touch their amazing bark.

I'll drop ship a pile of acorns for your efforts. Or is it peanuts? Kitty litter? Anyways. Thanks,

 

[dybmh]

"Thank you." / "Shalom"

What's the root of Shalom?

What does that mean regrading to your slice and dice, erase and replace, campaign against Torah?

Think about it?

Did you see my drash on the akeidah?

The DH is DOA, always has been.

 

[JustGeorge]

So what's your secret? You make it look so easy... and graceful.

Own it.

It's like comparing a swan dive with a belly-flopper.



You're hired. I have some serious questions for Great-grandfather Cedar. And if possible? Would you please find out? Pretty please? Do the big leaf maple know how much I love them? I love them a lot a lot.

Well, the thing is, they're all individual. So, I could ask the silver leaf maple in the yard, but the two of you haven't met, so it likely wouldn't know.

Speak slowly and be patient with maple, though. They're slow and quiet, in my experience.

Also, ooh. This is something I really want to know. Mr and Mrs Birch? By the river? Will you ask them, for me, is it true? They'll know what I'm asking. If not, ask a follow question, Daniel Yosef wants to know how do you do it???. Then smile and touch their amazing bark.

If I ever find myself by your river, sure.

I'll drop ship a pile of acorns for your efforts. Or is it peanuts? Kitty litter? Anyways. Thanks,

If you mix it all, that would make an interesting snack.

Not one I want, but interesting.

 

[dybmh]

@JustGeorge , from my afternoon stroll:

Spoiler: Great Grand Daddy Cedar

Spoiler: Mr/Mrs River Birch and baby

Spoiler: Vine Maple in the sun

@Rival, in the past you liked my photos? These are my plant-friends: Cedar, Birch, and Maple.

Cedar, Birch, and Maple? Please say 'hello', in your own way, to my friend, Rival.

 

[JustGeorge]

@JustGeorge , from my afternoon stroll:

Spoiler: Great Grand Daddy Cedar

View attachment 94169

Spoiler: Mr/Mrs River Birch and baby

View attachment 94170

View attachment 94171

View attachment 94172

Spoiler: Vine Maple in the sun

View attachment 94173

@Rival, in the past you liked my photos? These are my plant-friends: Cedar, Birch, and Maple.

Cedar, Birch, and Maple? Please say 'hello', in your own way, to my friend, Rival.

Hello Tree Friends!

(You should know the top one didn't attach right.)

 

[Spice]

Mine is somewhat continuous in that I'm very informal and when I appear to be talking to myself, it's really talking to the One. If I have something pressing on me trying to disturb my peace, I'll take a silent time, where I concentrate on my core and empty all concerns. This is how I best describe my silence:

Destruction,
cracking,
tumbling down.
Internal chisels being hammered.

Resist.
Seek out
quiet contemplation
in the midst of a noisy world.

Travel inward;
swing, sway,
climb, crawl,
but get beyond those thoughts of stone.

Drill through!
Reach total darkness
and settle there.
Embrace the emptiness.

Open the mind.
Open the heart.
Open your soul.
Empty all into the darkness.

And then --
seek the Light!
Renew, refresh,
breathe 'til peace envelops overall;

the chisels silenced​

 

[Jimmy]

Being grateful to God for good physical and mental health. Thanking him for a healthy family. Asking him for strength and joy. Loving God.

 

[dybmh]

Hello Tree Friends!

(You should know the top one didn't attach right.)

I fixed it. Thanks

 

[dybmh]

Mine is somewhat continuous in that I'm very informal and when I appear to be talking to myself, it's really talking to the One. If I have something pressing on me trying to disturb my peace, I'll take a silent time, where I concentrate on my core and empty all concerns. This is how I best describe my silence:

Destruction,
cracking,
tumbling down.
Internal chisels being hammered.

Resist.
Seek out
quiet contemplation
in the midst of a noisy world.

Travel inward;
swing, sway,
climb, crawl,
but get beyond those thoughts of stone.

Drill through!
Reach total darkness
and settle there.
Embrace the emptiness.

Open the mind.
Open the heart.
Open your soul.
Empty all into the darkness.

And then --
seek the Light!
Renew, refresh,
breathe 'til peace envelops overall;

the chisels silenced​

I really like that.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Did you see my drash on the akeidah?

Having seened your drash on "DEBUNKED" I seriously doubt that I'd be impressed.
BTW - I thought you put me on your ignore list. Let me know if you need help.

 

[dybmh]

Let me know if you need help.

You seem to be the one who needs help. Is it your intention to practice Judaism?

"Thank you." / "Shalom"

What is the shoresh of shalom? Do you or don't you know it?

I doubt it, because, if you did, you would never promote the DH as a viable theory. I also doubt you study the Torah, which is one of our religious duties. Do you care about the Torah? If there is a conflict, Academia or Torah, which one do you follow?

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

What is the shoresh of shalom? Do you or don't you know it?

I doubt it, because, if you did, you would never promote the DH as a viable theory.

For what it's worth, yes, I know the shoresh of shalom. I also know the difference between a collapse of consensus and an hypothesis debunked.

Speaking of Hebrew words and the DH, Numbers 20:1-13 (parashat chukat) is interesting, both because

1. the word מרים (morim) found in Numbers 20:10 is an interesting choice. and
2. the pericope clearly echoes/replicates that found in Numbers 17:1-7.

One possible drash is that rebelling against the teachings of scientific enquiry is foolish.