When we approach prayer, tefillah, we know that there are different forms. As discussed previously, one of the highest forms of tefillah is when we offer our thanks and praises to Hashem. Hashem knows exactly what we need, and when we thank Him for what He is already giving us, that gives Him reason to shower more blessings upon us, seeing our appreciation for what He is already giving us. We of course also have the prayer in the form of requests, asking Hashem for the things that we need. It is...
When we approach prayer, tefillah, we know that there are different forms. As discussed previously, one of the highest forms of tefillah is when we offer our thanks and praises to Hashem. Hashem knows exactly what we need, and when we thank Him for what He is already giving us, that gives Him reason to shower more blessings upon us, seeing our appreciation for what He is already giving us. We of course also have the prayer in the form of requests, asking Hashem for the things that we need. It is also important to remember the mitzvah that we have to daven for other people.
The Gemara says that if we know another individual is experiencing suffering, and we neglect to pray for their salvation, we are considered a sinner. And as the commentaries explain, one never knows whose prayer will be accepted in order to alleviate an individual's suffering. And therefore it is of paramount importance to daven to Hashem for other people's needs, as well as all of our own needs, which as taught by the midrash, although Hashem knows exactly what we need, we have a mitzvah to articulate in our own words as if Hashem doesn't understand exactly what we are seeking.
And we should also never forget to pray to Hashem for our spiritual needs. Sometimes we might be thriving in our spiritual endeavors. We might be running to perform mitzvos with enthusiasm, loving our learning of Torah, seeking more opportunities to perform chesed and the like. And at other times we might feel no enthusiasm to run after Torah, mitzvos, chesed and the like. And we should always use the opportunity to beg Hashem, “Hashem please help me to love my Torah learning. Hashem please help me to run after more chesed opportunities. Hashem please help me to perform the mitzvahs that you have commanded me with enthusiasm and joy.” And the more we believe, the more we will pray to Hashem in our own words to help us, both in our physical endeavors as well as in our spiritual endeavors.
And perhaps the main prayer, over and above everything else, should be, not what do I need -physically or spiritually; it's not about me anymore. “Hashem, what do you need? What can I do for you? Hashem has created us as beings that have a lot of needs in many ways.” And it is a mitzvah to pray for all of our needs. However, it is important to remember that it's not all about us and to bring Hashem into the picture. And Daven, “Hashem, I want to make a difference in this world, not for me, but for you. When it comes to me, I have many dreams and aspirations. And yes, I know I have a mitzvah to Daven for those things, so Hashem, I will do so. And even in a sense, when I'm thanking you, Hashem, for the things that you've given me, what you've taught me in your Torah sources, is such a high form of prayer, in a sense, the spotlight is still on me. Where did you come through for me?
Hashem, I want to shift the spotlight and put it on you. Please, can you help me to make a difference for you in this world? You created me for a reason. And if you created me, it means, as the Gemara says, that every single thing encompassed within all the worlds was created just for me, which means that I am important and I can make a difference to you within your master plan that you designed for this world. Please Hashem, help me to be able to fulfill my purpose for your sake. Please help me, Hashem, to live my life with you at the forefront of my mind.
Help me, Hashem, to be the best mother that I can be. Not because I want to be the best mother, but because that will be sanctifying your name and serving you in the best way. And if I'm not feeling well, Hashem, please can you heal me so that I can serve you and perform my service to you, not for my sake, not because of my need to alleviate my pain, but rather because, Hashem, I want to serve you in the highest possible way. Thank you, Hashem, for the gift of tefillah at every single moment.”
