Although I have attended the same sinagogue for over 10 years, I still have often had trouble praying. In the article "Revitalizing Prayer", Rabbi Nanci Flam responds to my problems. Usually, I find myself standing up for the Amidah while thinking about homework or weekend plans. I don't focus during prayer. This is mainly because I usually can't rely on myself to pray certain times of day. Rather, usually during certain times throughout the day I get a relaxed feeling in which I notice how wonderful the world around me is. I feel "gratitude, humility, awe, love", and other emotions that are perfect praying conditions. I cannot call on myself to pray at designated times because it won't be real, at least not to me.
Flam has noticed that many reform jews seem to have this problem. She suggests several ways to fix it which I will now take in to account. For example, she suggests that one should understand what they are praying for, adopt strategies, and be apart of a prayer community in order to make prayer " compelling and relevant to our lives". Some strategies for prayer could be, for example, body movement or concentration. In order for a prayer to ascend to heaven, your heart has to be in it. Flam also suggests talking to God at random times in order to create a more personal relationship. Although this does seem strange at first read, it does make sense because I seem to only be able to really pray at inconvenient times. This article has definitely helped me to realize how to fix my praying problem and continue on my religious journey.
I think what you mentioned about finding the right time to pray is very accurate. It's often that I can barely find myself praying and paying attention when told to do so. Sometimes I feel pressured to make my prayers extra personal during Shabbat, or short enough so everyone can get on with the service. Praying is personal time, where a person connects with G-d. I don't think holidays should make someone feel forced like Shabbat does, I believe prayer should be at a time where your soul desires to, and has no limitations.
ReplyDeleteI somewhat disagree with the sense of finding your own time to pray simply because in my life I often feel too busy to remember that I need to pray. I feel that Shabbat and other holidays are times that allow us to let go of that homework, or weekend plans and truly focus us on praying and remind us to take a breath and thank God, or ask for whatever you need, or to pray for someone else in need. No matter what you're praying for, I think its necessary to have a specific time set aside just for prayer.
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