I believe that prayer life in many ways can be compared to artistic life. Only inspired prayers are able to enrich us and raise us to the greater level of self-expression.

All over the world people do pray, but it is necessary to admit that not all prayers are beneficial. Some prayers, especially those that reinforce guilt, shame, inferiority, and powerlessness, cannot contribute to unfoldment of an individual. Therefore, let us not haste to moan about the process of secularization in the modern world. It is a good sign that people here and there challenge the authority of ancient traditions and quit doing the things which are no longer meaningful for them.

In many cases, loss of a childish belief is but a stepping stone to the mature faith.

Prayer is governed by definite spiritual principles which can be known and applied. This is why some teachers and authors use the term "scientific prayer". And yet, prayer is more than strict observance of those laws. Prayer is a communion with the realm beyond our conscious self at the deepest level of our being. It puts us in touch with the pure Life, which is never the same. Every time we enter into prayer, our experiences are different. And, as the result, we become different.

To pray means to "worship the Father in spirit and truth". "The Spirit breathes where He desires, and you hear His voice, but you do not know from where He comes, and where He goes" (John 3:8), taught Jesus. The Spirit is unpredictable, not being subject to human conditions and expectations. Perhaps, this is the reason why some people unconsciously are trying to push the Spirit out of their lives.

We need to be aware of the human tendency to look for security through attempts to control and to explain all that happens. But this is a shaky foundation to build life upon. Being honest with ourselves, we recognize that there are many things we cannot explain. Attempts to fit some experiences into our limited understanding, rather than enlarging of our understanding based on those experiences, lead us to repeated errors and sufferings.

Our security is found in God, the Source of our good. "What I have seen teaches me to trust my Creator for what I have not seen", wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson. As long as we have the same attitude, it is not really important whether we see the meaning of the particular event or not. Step by step, we are moving to greater understanding, and we will arrive there at the due time.

Kids look up to the adults as to gods who know the answers and can do the right things. Consequently, they strive to be like them, all-knowing and all-powerful. But when children truly become adults, they realize their own limitations and learn to embrace uncertainties.

When I was an infant, I spoke as an infant, I thought as an infant, I reasoned as an infant. But when I became a man, I did away with the things of an infant. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall fully know even as I also am fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:11,12

What does it have to do with prayer?

Thinking of children's prayer, I came to an interesting observation. As a rule, kids pray to God "out there", outside of themselves. And they usually pray for some outward things to be manifested, either for themselves or for others. Such relationships with God make perfect sense to them, and their prayers are often answered, to astonishment of their parents.

However, there are deeper levels of communication with the Infinite we need to explore as we become more spiritually mature. Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is to be discovered within, not without. Our inner quest is of greater importance than all outer strivings. Our inner transformation, not particular manifestations, should become our main focus.

By going within, we are not looking to escape from the world and our responsibilities. Quite the contrary, we are intent to equip ourselves for our true work and to become ready for our true reward.