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My
Prayer
by Velma A.
Cook
Prayer is not an empty ritual, it is a way of life. People have many ways to escape from the mundane tensions and troubles of life, however most of them are destructive. In Islam, prayer is a life-line, which facilitates renewal and development.
Five times a day I retreat from life, pause and renew my
intention for living. It's not just kids and work, fun and
problems. There's more, much more, lying just beneath the
surface of our everyday thoughts. If we dare to peer
within, we'll find it, the home of peace; of truth; an acute
awareness of what is wrong and right, of what is worthwhile and
what is wasted.
I stand still and concentrate on the spot on the carpet where my
forehead will soon rest, casting aside all worries, fears and
hopes, and focusing on the only One Who can help, Who can
forgive, Who is Well-Aware of everything. Quietly, so only
myself can hear, I recite the verses of Qu'ran that remind us, in
every prayer, of the One Who showers Mercy of those who deserve
it and those who don't. The One to whom, all Judgment lies
and Whom we are all to return to, at an appointed time.
I remember that no one can help me, no one can waylay my fears,
no one can turn the tide of events, except the One to Whom all
help is sought.
When anger strikes my heart, I recite the verses that remind us
of mercy, tolerance and forgiveness; raising the consciousness to
see through the empty words that people speak, to the meaning
that may have been intended. So I forgive.
When worries cloud my mind and I'm busy planning what I should
do, I recite those verses telling of good deeds and trust in the
Lord of all. The best of planners, the Subduer of evil and
the Exalter of Whom He pleases. So, I try my best, ask for
help and leave the rest to Allah s.w.t.
When I feel sad and lost, I recite the verses promising victory
to those who strive to uphold piety, that place of rest and peace
that lies not so far ahead and the Source of all Peace Whose help
is always near. So, I wipe away my tears and keep on
trying, never giving up.
My prayer is a way of life. It comes five times a day but
the rest of the time is in preparation for the next, awareness of
the passing time, remembering my duty to my Creator and my
responsibility to my own soul. So whatever I'm doing,
I stop and put it aside, stand in prayer and trying to look
within, at the faults that follow me around in my life, of the
evil my hands have sent forth, and seek guidance, forgiveness and
escape from the evil consequences of what I may have done.
I think of the marvels of the universe, how infinitely beautiful
and amazing as they are. The wonders of my own self, the
physical human body and the wonders it contains. The depth
and breadth of the mind, that few of us can compass and then I
look to the trivial pleasures of life, the transient nature of
our existence and I feel an urge to do more, to try harder, to be
better than I was the day before.
And so I bow before my Creator, acknowledging the fact that only
He deserves my sincerity, my obedience and my love. All
else in life is secondary to the fact that if He hadn't chosen to
create me, I would never have existed. Here I am!
Here's my duty. Worship is not only prayer and fasting but
the way we live, the way we speak, the way we treat people and
the way we solve problems. Knowing that we weren't only
Created and left to discern truth for ourselves, I adhere to the
guidance given to me, to steady me on the path that leads to
success in this life and the next.
I continue in my prayer, whether well or ill, tired or wakeful,
sad or hopeful, I continue, knowing that success doesn't lie in
the amount of money, weapons or strength one thinks one has, but
in ones morality.
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