Paths of Faith: Pray for Everything, Big and Small
When we go shopping, for example, we should pray to find what we're looking for. It's not disrespectful to Hashem; on the contrary, it's a lack of faith to think we manage on our own.
- הרבנית אסתר טולדנו
- פורסם ח' אלול התשע"ח
(Photo: Shutterstock) #VALUE!
We should train ourselves to ask Hashem for everything, big or small. There's nothing too trivial to pray for. That we catch the bus, cross the street safely, succeed in education, manage our character work, or finish cleaning the house—every aspect of life should be included.
One of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov's students wrote that for every little thing he needed, his teacher instructed him to pray to Hashem. When the student expressed surprise at praying for such small matters, his teacher asked, "Is it beneath your dignity to pray to Hashem for something so small?!" (Ma'aglei Siyach pg. 90). Struggling to pray over minor issues often stems from pride; we mistakenly believe we can handle things ourselves. Prayer teaches humility and the realization that nothing is within our own power.
When we go shopping, for example, we should pray to find what we're looking for. It's not disrespectful to Hashem; on the contrary, it's a lack of faith to think we manage on our own. Do we want to leave the Master of the Universe out of our lives?!
A woman shared a simple, everyday story with me. She was a new and young mother, and her tiny baby daughter was terrified of baths. Every time she bathed her little one, the baby would scream in fright. The mother felt helpless. Her hands already trembled during the bathing, but the desperate cries, the clinging arms, and the baby's frightened, red face made it even harder. Day after day, she didn't know what to do—until one day she remembered an easily accessible option: to pray about even such things! She turned to Hashem and asked for help.
From that night on, the little one stopped crying in terror and, miraculously, began to enjoy the experience...
A woman told me that a cake accompanied by a few words of prayer not to burn, and for the children and husband to enjoy it, is not the same as a cake without prayer. More than once, I've heard of women who spent a lot on a wig and were unsuccessful in their purchase, saying they didn't realize even that needed divine assistance. Indeed, for everything, big or small, we need Hashem with us; we must pray and ask about every matter.
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