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Based on the excerpt of the English translation of The Way of the Pilgrim by RM French, here is my reflection:
Prayers are practiced in all spiritual traditions. Why do we pray? Whom do we pray to? How do we pray? How many times do we pray?. When do we pray? Should we all pray? What happens if we do not pray? These are important questions. Prayers can bring people together for attaining a higher purpose or prayers can divide people and bring them down.. These are important questions for me. Prayers are for inner transformation leading to peace, joy and fulfillment, Prayers are meant to bring people together, to move on higher planes of living. Prayers are done to lead to good actions and good actions reinforce prayers. They are inclusive, not exclusive. My experience of the power of prayer was based on my experience of doing interfaith prayers with Mahatma Gandhi on the banks of the river Sabarmati. I was only five years old but what I experienced was very powerful. People following different paths felt united in their hearts. This powerful experience of interfaith prayers has laid my spiritual foundation. A month ago, we visited Gandhi's Satyagraha Ashram. I felt the same spiritual vibrations as I had experienced when I was five years old. My beloved wife Vanleela had a different religious background. She used to recite Jain prayers and I used to recite Hindu prayers. Different prayers helped us live together harmoniously. Such is the power of prayers. Open-mindedness and open-heartedness bring people together. Hope and pray people of diversified religions join hands and hearts with each other for personal and world peace. This is my prayer. Namaste!
4 Comments
4/12/2025 03:20:26 pm
Pray is a true gift of the Universe. My style would lean towards St. Francis of Assisi - the Franciscan Way. As a child I saw my grandmother living the as a St. Francis as a lay Secular Franciscan, is a member of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) who is dedicated to living a Gospel-oriented life, inspired by the teachings and example of St. Francis of Assisi, while remaining active in the world and not living in religious communities. They are committed to living the Franciscan Rule in their everyday lives, fostering a community of faith, and sharing their faith with others.
Ami R
4/13/2025 05:16:16 am
Now, more than ever, the world needs more tolerance and patience in the name of religion & race. I pray for a beautiful, harmonious world where love, peace & mutual respect are everyone’s core values, no matter your background. 🙏🏻
Kiran
4/14/2025 09:40:58 pm
Beautiful article. As humans we are blessed with the gift of prayer. A medium we can use to communicate with our creator, the higher power. An earnest prayer never goes unanswered. If my prayer is unanswered, I know that God has better plan than what I had envisioned for myself. Prayer has the power to transcend the border of body and mind and allow us to connect with divine spirit on spiritual level. I love prayers of all faiths and believe that all religions more or less teach the same message of love, peace , compassion and service to others. I practice Jain religion and love reciting jain Namokar Mahamantra every day. It fills me with peace & positivity. Thanks.
Elaine Gotfryd Noonan
4/18/2025 04:30:14 pm
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