There was a farmer who earned his livelihood by selling his agricultural produce at the market in the village. He used to cross a forest path everyday for the purpose. One day, when he reached the middle of the woods, the poor farmer realized that he had forgotten to take his prayer book. With folded hands, he prayed, “I can’t recall even one prayer. I apologize for not saying the usual prayers. However, I would recite the alphabets 5 times continuously. Please accept that as my heartfelt prayers.” Suddenly the God appeared in front of the farmer and said, “This is the most sincere prayer that you have ever said. Today, you have prayed from your heart.”
The prayers that come from the heart is the most lofty and honest one. Sometimes, the meaningless mumbling that come out of the mouth may be the most sincere prayers that are offered at the time of struggles or pain. One would even wonder in amazement, when those mumbling may turn true, as God has accepted it the most amazing prayer. Not the sweet language, but the honest words that come from the heart are important.
Knowledge has got nothing to do with prayer. Those who do not posses knowledge or education can open his heart and invoke the grace of God in the most spectacular way. Peace of mind and purity at heart are the rewards we get for offering sincere prayers. One shouldn’t degrade God as a mere judge who would fulfill the wishes of his devotees by evaluating the beauty of the language in which they pray.
Your knowledge and talents may be appreciated in the society. However, it will not help you when it comes to offering honest prayers. God can easily understand the sincerity in the welled up eyes or the quivered mutterings of an illiterate person.
Devotion and spirituality are extremely private experiences which one feels in the heart. The prayers and offerings made as part of a rite should be transformed into a very special personal experience. It is not the perfect language or choice of words that would please God. It is the honesty of heart and truth in the prayer that are answered by the Almighty.
