What's Prayer Got To Do With It?
There are no coincidences. Anything that happnes comes directly from G-d. The word for coincidence is "mikreh (mem, kuf, reish, hey)". When you mix the letters up it spells "Rak M'Hashem (reish, kuf, mem, hey) which means "only from G-d." I suppose each of us has to experience our own coincidences and then ponder or interpret as to why.
At any rate, Elul (the current month) stands for Ani L'dodi V'dodi Li. I am for my beloved and my beloved is for me. This is a time when we return our hearts to G-d in preparation for Rosh Hashanah. (As a side, check out the following video...it’s really good: http://www.aish.com/v/ho/100244454.html)
Funny enough my son was born on the first of Elul (Rosh Chodesh Elul). We named him, Lev (heart), not knowing at the time what the Hebrew date was. Coincidence?
So, this is a great time to look at our deeds, our relationship with G-d and with others. To do so, I thought I'd try adding the Amidah (standing silent devotion of 18 prayers) to my morning ritual. I figured a direct call might be beneficial in forming a relationship with a supreme being that I cannot only not comprehend but can barely articulate. It’s not so easy to commit to, but I thought maybe at least 2x/ week I could fit it in to have a conversation with the Almighty (I'm sure he has a lot to say to me too). Anyway, so I started and here are the after affects:
Day 1: I get a call from the head of my son's school to make sure I'm alright with their phone policy (a total change in their attitude (see blog "They Can't Phone Home")
Day 2: I put in a request for my daughter to get a part in a movie (she's been trying so hard and as much as I cannot relate I really do hope she makes it BIG). She gets a call that day to be an extra. OK, so she is not yet Meryl Streep but we were one step closer.
Day 3: I ask to win the lottery. I mean what the heck. As long as I'm on a roll, I might as well ask. 2 Apogee checks come in to offset our tuition costs.
Day 4: No specifi request (I think the lottery request was a bit much and decide to give G-d a day off to feed the hungry, save the sick). My car breaks down. I am rescued by a nice young man who jumps my car and a Goodyear attendant who replaces my battery with time to spare to pick up my kids.
Anyway, I'm putting in a plug for the BIG GUY...G-O-D. He seems to be listening. I did ask for world peace, but I'll take whatever peace he can send our way.
I tell my daughter about my "coincidences" and she tells me to "keep praying."
I figure it surely cannot hurt (except putting me back a few minutes from walking the dog).
So if you're wondering about coincidences, prayer, the whole "what's out there" in the cosmos. I really (or course) don't have any answers, but if you're going to pick a time to "dial up and connect", this would be it.
At any rate, Elul (the current month) stands for Ani L'dodi V'dodi Li. I am for my beloved and my beloved is for me. This is a time when we return our hearts to G-d in preparation for Rosh Hashanah. (As a side, check out the following video...it’s really good: http://www.aish.com/v/ho/100244454.html)
Funny enough my son was born on the first of Elul (Rosh Chodesh Elul). We named him, Lev (heart), not knowing at the time what the Hebrew date was. Coincidence?
So, this is a great time to look at our deeds, our relationship with G-d and with others. To do so, I thought I'd try adding the Amidah (standing silent devotion of 18 prayers) to my morning ritual. I figured a direct call might be beneficial in forming a relationship with a supreme being that I cannot only not comprehend but can barely articulate. It’s not so easy to commit to, but I thought maybe at least 2x/ week I could fit it in to have a conversation with the Almighty (I'm sure he has a lot to say to me too). Anyway, so I started and here are the after affects:
Day 1: I get a call from the head of my son's school to make sure I'm alright with their phone policy (a total change in their attitude (see blog "They Can't Phone Home")
Day 2: I put in a request for my daughter to get a part in a movie (she's been trying so hard and as much as I cannot relate I really do hope she makes it BIG). She gets a call that day to be an extra. OK, so she is not yet Meryl Streep but we were one step closer.
Day 3: I ask to win the lottery. I mean what the heck. As long as I'm on a roll, I might as well ask. 2 Apogee checks come in to offset our tuition costs.
Day 4: No specifi request (I think the lottery request was a bit much and decide to give G-d a day off to feed the hungry, save the sick). My car breaks down. I am rescued by a nice young man who jumps my car and a Goodyear attendant who replaces my battery with time to spare to pick up my kids.
Anyway, I'm putting in a plug for the BIG GUY...G-O-D. He seems to be listening. I did ask for world peace, but I'll take whatever peace he can send our way.
I tell my daughter about my "coincidences" and she tells me to "keep praying."
I figure it surely cannot hurt (except putting me back a few minutes from walking the dog).
So if you're wondering about coincidences, prayer, the whole "what's out there" in the cosmos. I really (or course) don't have any answers, but if you're going to pick a time to "dial up and connect", this would be it.
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