Prayer, its Nature & Technique - Kirpal Singh

PRAYERthe Master and his strong hand can lead a Jivaunscathed through all dangers with which theinner path is beset at every step.9. The Three Types of PrayerTHERE are three ways of offering a prayer:(i) Vocal or oral: that is to say a prayer offeredby means of tongue or words of mouth. Itconsists in repeating some set prayer asrecorded in scriptures or as given by this orthat Mahatma as a “model prayer.” Some feelthat such prayers are not of much consequence.A prayer, in fact, is not a mere repetitionof particular words but an anguished cryof an individual soul arising from its deepestdepths. Such oral prayers may be likened toborrowed clothes which never fit the borrower.As models these are very valuable and we shouldtry to make such impassioned appeals directlyfrom the innermost recesses of our mind, trulydepicting our feelings and emotions.(ii) Mental: A prayer may be repeated by thetongue of thought alone. This can be done onlywhen one can prepare a suitable ground for itwithin himself. One must see the presence ofGod and be able to concentrate his thoughtsbefore offering a thanksgiving to Him, makingfree and frank confessions of all hisshortcomings and seeking His aid in all hisendeavors. It is an art, and like any other art34