Prayer is a form of communication. Basically prayer is an appeal for help. Help me, help us, help me to help him, help us to help them. Prayer is equally an acknowledgement for help received. Prayer may be expressed by thoughts, words, and deeds. Gratitude is a form of prayer. Obedience is one of the highest forms of prayer. Rebellion would be the opposite but still is a form of prayer. Aspiration and denigration are both aspects of prayer. Apathy is prayer by resignation, submission, or self-pity. All prayers are heard. All prayers are answered. Such communication involves a sender, a receiver, and a message.
Prayer that uses the language of “Thee and “Thou” and “Thine” is often regarded as archaic or ineffective, because it does not fit the speech of today. “Hot-line” and “Dial-a-Prayer” are very fitting expressions of prayer today but both may become obsolete by electronic advances that could eliminate copper wire and paper. But the chances are that the use of “Thee” and “Thou” will persist because both such corresponding words have always existed in every language.
Most prayers emerge out of need: physical, mental, or spiritual. Some prayers are unselfish; others are selfish. Many prayers remain unexpressed until a critical pressure forces communication. Death, accidents, sickness, surgery, qualifying for a job, successful performance, winning a game, winning a war, winning a lottery, the fulfillment of any hope according to the desire of the person who is praying. The power capable of fulfilling the prayer is frequently given a multiple choice.
Prayer is without a doubt the oldest form of communication. Man has always needed help. The need prevails as much today as it did in the days of old.
In this century and in many countries, welfare has moved from the stigma of dole to almost automatic eligibility for help dictated by circumstance. This could well lead to a future state wherein everyone will be provided with so-called necessities for living and dying, whether he/she is rich or poor. Such provisions will also provide for the successful operation of all, now called corporate bodies. Heath, food, clothing, transportation, defense, energy, fire, police, postal and educational systems will be a way of life. Nature has always so provided, but bread must be asked for each day.
Someone is listening, is answering and without a doubt hurting more than the petitioner.
For much of the world, the cry “help me” is a prayer for health, the healing of illness. He who is sick calls to Him who can cure. The statement “From the most high cometh healing” may seem to be obscured by the sophistication of modern healing technology or finance. The practitioners as well as the receivers may be alike, unaware of the fact that for all their skills and for all their needs, the successful application is by no means free of responsibility. But money is not knowledge; money is not gratitude. Humanity is still very sick. We are in no danger of becoming so healthy that healing will become obsolete.
In fact, we are only beginning to equate the relation of emotions and thinking with materialism with our daily well being. We do not know the why of chemistry or electricity. Today’