Inner Peace-Achieving Self Esteem Through Prayer

Tefillah — the word for prayer — also has the meaning of bonding (see Rashi, Bereishis 30:8). Prayer can indeed bond: man with God, man with fellowman, and man with himself. There are three themes that are prominent in prayer: ahavah, declaration of our love of God; hoda’ah, gratitude towards God; and vidui, confessing our wrongdoings to God. It is obvious that God, Who is absolute perfection, is not in need of our expressions of love, of gratitude, or of penitence. Clearly these are intended to elevate man spiritually and are primarily for our own betterment. Think of how many relationships are shattered because of some people’s inability or hesitance to express love and gratitude, or to admit one’s mistakes. How many broken homes could have been preserved if the three magic phrases — I love you, I thank you, and I was wrong — would have been voiced more frequently. Note: also "I need you"

By praising Hashem’s name, we mean His values and standards. I strive to reach those standards by living in accordance with halachah. Singing the same praises of Hashem every morning allows me to consistently visualize the goal of reaching Hashem’s standards. This is the “tefillah process” — to connect with Hashem spiritually and to raise myself up to that spiritual standard by living those standards during the day. When my ratzon (will) meets His Ratzon I create a sense of deveikus — a connection to God.

I can draw strength from placing my trust in God, by recharging my batteries with energy from the Generator — God. But I do have to get out of bed and insert the plug into the socket.

According to Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler, there are two types of “mazal” or “destiny.” There is a mazal tachton — a this-world destiny which can be changed through prayer, personal growth, and kind deeds, which I activate through the exercise of my free will. A crisis sent to me under the rubric of mazal tachton is a test to be solved or withstood and seen to a successful conclusion. However, a challenge sent to me from mazal elyon — beyond-this-world destiny — is not meant to be solved but endured. Thus, some difficulties are not tests for me to solve. They are sent to me because this is what my soul must go through in order to achieve its tikun — “rectification” or ultimate destiny

In essence, I am saying: “God — You are my Chief of Staff. Please grant me the insight to plan my life’s strategy with wisdom.” This implies that I have a God-given mission to achieve during my lifetime. I have been given my marching orders from God Himself. Three times a day during my morning, afternoon, and evening prayers I report back to my Commanding Officer to ask for clarification of the current state of affairs on the battlefront