What Is Your Strongest Weapon? The Power Within Each Person

The strongest force in your life is the power of the mouth, that is, the power of prayer, as our sages said (Midrash Shochar Tov 22): The people of Israel are compared to a worm, as it is written (Isaiah 41) "Fear not, you worm of Jacob" - just like a worm's strength is in its mouth, so too is Israel's strength in their mouths – the power of prayer.

The Kuzari states that prayer is "the heart of time and its fruit". The Chazon Ish writes in his letter: "Prayer is a powerful staff in every person's hand, and the more  a person places his trust in Him, the more they will rise and succeed".

Through the power of prayer, one can change destinies, nullify decrees, heal illnesses, gain both spiritual and material wealth, fulfill dreams, and truly perform wonders. If one thinks this is out of reach, the Torah testifies to us (Parashat Nitzavim, Deuteronomy Chapter 30) "For this commandment is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart that you may do it".

Rabbi Elazar said, "Prayer is greater than good deeds, for there is none greater in good deeds than Moses our teacher, and yet he was only answered through prayer" (Berakhot 30).

Hashem said to Israel, be careful with prayer, for there is no measure more beautiful than it, and it is greater than all sacrifices... And even if a person is not worthy of being answered in their prayer... once they pray and entreat abundantly, I will show kindness to them" (Tanchuma Vayera 1).

What does the evil inclination fear?

The Baal HaMaor writes (Parashat Ki Tetze): "The main battle of the evil inclination is against prayer, because even if a person spends much time in Torah and mitzvot, and acts kindly with their body and money, and supports the poor and needy, the evil inclination will not direct its full force against this." As mentioned in the Midrash (Psalms 137), Nebuchadnezzar ordered his soldiers to drive the exiles along and not to let them stop on the way, because if they stop - they can pray - and Hashem will save them.

Therefore, we must preserve and enhance our strongest weapon – the power of prayer – to maximize its potential benefit.

Points for successful prayer:

• Intent of the heart –"If a person sets their intention in prayer - they can be assured their prayer is heard, as it says (Psalms 10) 'You will prepare their heart, You will cause Your ear to hear'" (Tanchuma, Chayei Sarah 1).
• Prayer in a fixed place – "Whoever sets a place for their prayer, the God of Abraham assists them" (Berakhot 6).
• Tears – "Rabbi Elazar said, since the destruction of the Temple... although the gates of prayer are closed, the gates of tears are not closed" (Berakhot 32). As mentioned in the sacred Zohar (Exodus 12), "For whoever sheds tears in their prayer - there is no gate in the heavens that does not open before them".
• A voice of crying – Even if one cannot cry truly, they should pray with a voice of crying, as it is said "For Hashem has heard the voice of my weeping" (Psalms 6).
• Lengthy prayer – "Whoever prolongs their prayer, their prayer does not return empty" (Berakhot 32). And it is mentioned about Hannah's prayer (Midrash Shmuel) - "And it was, as she prayed abundantly before Hashem...from here we learn that whoever prays abundantly - is answered".
• To pray again and again until salvation – "pray and continue to pray, for there is a time when it will be granted to you" (Devarim Rabbah 2).
• Torah study – "Hashem said: In the merit of the Torah that you engage in, I listen and hear your prayers" (Tanchuma, Emor 23). The Chazon Ish also wrote (Letter 2), "Learning and prayer are interconnected, the toil of learning supports the light of prayer, and prayer supports learning. Prayer that is habitual distances learning, and sluggish learning prevents true prayer".
• Giving charity before prayer (Bava Batra 10).
• Prayer with the community – "And as for me, may my prayer to You, Hashem, be at a time of grace" (Psalms 69). When is it a time of grace? When the community is praying" (Berakhot 8).
• Caution from hindrances to prayer – such as cleanliness of the body and place, avoidance of theft, wearing mixed fibers, slander and flattery, proper hand washing, and other impediments noted in the words of our sages.
• It is an important principle to always pray in a synagogue, for whoever prays there it is as if they prayed in the Holy Temple (Yalkut Shimoni, Psalms 599). As stated in the Talmud (Berakhot 6): "Abba Binyamin says: A person's prayer is only heard in a synagogue". As mentioned in the Midrash (Kohelet Rabbah 9) – "When Israel departs from the synagogues and houses of study, a heavenly voice goes out and says 'Go, eat your bread with joy...' Your prayer has already been heard like a pleasing aroma".