ספר התפילות Sefer HaTefillot The Book of Prayers

FIRST AGE OF MAN

"Do not be like the hypocrites who pray in the sight of everyone; they are being rewarded now. Pray in solitude, for your Father can be contacted from anywhere and is everywhere. Never use needless repetition or ramble on in the mistaken belief that the more you say, the more likely you are to be heard. Do not be a mere babbler of words, for prayer is not formed by words alone. Remember, your every need is known, so whatever is withheld may be for your own good. Prayer is contact between ruach and Ruach, and should seek only to reinforce the strength of the ruach."  (Book of the Natsarim 9:44) 

Prayer is a deeply profound act of connection, both with Elohim and within ourselves. Prayer is not just about speaking words; it is an interaction between your ruach (spirit) and the Ruach (Spirit) of YHVH, seeking union and alignment with His will. In this sense, prayer is more than asking for things or seeking outward rewards; it is about deepening your relationship between you and YHVH, strengthening your ruach, and drawing nearer to His presence.

Why Do We Pray? To Strengthen our soul: Prayer is a means of spiritual nourishment. Just as our body needs food to remain strong, our souls needs regular communication with YHVH to stay healthy. Through prayer, and reading scriptures we engage with the YHVH's Ruach, which fortifies our own ruach (spirit), empowering us to live according to YHVH's will. This strengthens our inner being, aligning us with the divine purpose and helping us overcome the challenges of life with spiritual resilience and trust.

To Be One with YHVH: (John 17), the goal of prayer is to become one with YHVH, as Y'shua is one with the Father. This unity is a central theme in prayer—it is not merely about asking for things, but about seeking to align ourselves with the heart of YHVH. Through prayer, we enter into communion with YHVH, experiencing His presence and drawing closer to His likeness.

To Express Trust and Dependence: Prayer acknowledges our dependence on YHVH for everything—both the physical and spiritual needs. By praying, we admit that we cannot control everything in our lives and that's why YHVH is our source of our strength, provision, and wisdom. It is an act of surrender, recognizing that YHVH knows our needs before we even ask of Him, as is stated in (Matthew 6:8). This trust is a key element of prayer, as it allows us to rest in the knowledge that YHVH our Father has our best interests at heart.

To Seek Alignment with YHVH's Will: Prayer is also a means of seeking YHVH's will, not merely for our own desires. The more we pray in alignment with His Ruach, the more we discern His guidance in our lives. This is particularly evident in Y'shua's own walk as he costumely hid himself to be one with YHVH his Father, His prayers, where he sought the will of the Father above His own (Luke 22:42). True prayer seeks to bring our hearts and minds into agreement with the YHVH's plans for our lives.

The Reward in Prayer The reward of prayer is not always tangible in the material sense, but it is immensely spiritual:

Inner Shalom and Strength: When we pray, particularly in solitude and with sincerity, our ruach is strengthened. The act of prayer brings shalom to the heart and mind because it draws us into communion with YHVH, who is the source of true shalom. It calms anxiety, provides direction, and restores our souls.

Union with YHVH:  Prayer is a means of being "one" with YHVH, just as Y'shua and the Father are one. This union, or communion, is the greatest reward—an intimate relationship with our Creator that transforms our heart and soul. Through this oneness, we gain a deeper understanding of YHVH's love, purpose, and will for our lives.

Spiritual Insight and Transformation: The more we engage in prayer and reading the scriptures, the more we are transformed. (Romans 12:2) Shekinah (Holy Spirit) works through our prayers to refine our character, open our eyes to deeper truths, and empower us to live out YHVH's commandments. Prayer is not just about asking for change in the nations, but about being changed ourselves to reflect YHVH's image.