Unfortunately there is only little justice that can be done herein to describe the importance and nature of prayer within the Hebraic perspective ... it is quite frankly a fundamental communal, personal and mysterious aspect of a believer's life.
Anyone familiar with mainstream religious Jewish individuals or families realize that in the Jewish world … there is a prayer for virtually every occasion. In the Jewish mindset just about every human activity entails giving thanks or praise to G_D … waking up … going to sleep … having a job … crossing the street safely … and so forth!
Although to many outsiders this traditional/cultural nuance of the Jewish people might be perceived as purely learned behavior … the point must be made that even if this is the case these nuances run extremely deep and are embedded within Jewish culture from their earliest days of existence.
For instance … most faithful Jews recite a prayer to G_D upon waking:
In the Hebraic perspective … the very act of awakening represents a gift from G_D and sets the tone by which "yom hazeh" (this day) will be conducted. In the Hebraic perspective G_D is in control and the central focus of life … in all aspects. In fact, as this prayer suggests, the very awakening represents a quickening of sorts wherein a lifeless (unconscious) person is once again instilled with the breath of life from G_D and the reality is we have no power of our own to guarantee that we do awake! Hence the blessing for the return of our cognitive essence.
On a more historical note however Jewish scholars and sages over the millennia have discerned that the key to prayer lies in the very root of the Hebrew word for prayer itself – "tephilla". The root of "tephilla" is "palal". This word root means “to judge, discern, differentiate, clarify and decide.” In other words, prayer is the means by which the believer's own will comes to discern, clarify and differentiate G_D’s will … from their own. Conversely it would also appear that in the act of "tephilla" G_D also judges and discerns the heart of the one praying … hmmm!
We pray so that we can be changed by our own musings and words, so that we can through our own speech and resonance better understand how to be transformed into G_D's likeness. We pray so that we can develop true perceptions about life in order that we may be prepared to receive what G_D’s will is for us. We pray in order to fit G_D's desire ... we pray so that we can fit into G_D's plan!
According to the rabbis, prayer is less to do with what I think I want, what I think I need, or what I desire and more about communicating with G_D in a manner wherein I become pliable enough for G_D to place his will into me. The traditional Hebraic perspective is that man becomes more human through conversation with the Creator … which leads to a better understanding of his will … which ultimately leads us to obediently follow his Torah … thus manifesting his desires for creation! We in essence return to the human creations we were meant to be and hopefully exercise acceptable and authoritative stewardship over G_D's creation.
Additionally within the Hebraic perspective and assuredly in Holy Scriptures itself there are scores of words that are associated with prayer ... crying, groaning, pleading, shouting, praising, jumping, contemplating ... on and on. Consequently from a Hebraic perspective prayer is not always a neat and clean formulaic recitation … we simply need look to the Psalms to confirm this evident truth. Prayer can be getting deep into the weeds with one's inner most essence and hoping to meld this connection with G_D Himself! When we ponder the Psalms we should be connecting with the hearts of the Psalmist. Yes the words are inspiring … but much more so when we realize the deep emotional connection in which the Psalmists are praying.
We also need to keep in mind that there are core Hebrew ritual prayers which in many respects encapsulate Israel's understanding of and relationship with G_D. Through review of these core traditional Jewish prayers we can peer into the mind of ancient Israel as we seek to garner a greater understanding of how the Hebraic perspective approaches prayer, faith and belief.
Additionally we will also conduct a review of Hebrew prayer in a renewed covenant perspective; in a Yeshua (Jesus) perspective ... seeking to understand the impacts upon Hebraic prayer responsive to the great Messianic Mission!
Shalom Aleichem
P. R. Otokletos
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