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Yoseph Janowski
By the Grace of G-d

When We Don’t Need Anything, Why Pray?

When we pray, we ask G-d for forgiveness, for compassion, for sustenance, and for closeness.

‘Tefilla,’ the Hebrew word used for prayer, means ‘bonding.’ (See the commentary Rashi on Genesis 30; 8).

Contemplating G-d’s greatness and immense kindness to us (as expressed in the words of the prayer book) creates a longing to come ever closer to Him. During the ‘Amidah,’ we quietly recite words that inspire feelings of oneness, a parent and child united in quiet and endearing embrace.

So that when we afterwards walk into the world, we go with a clear view of who we are, and what our purpose is. In other words, we walk into the world with G-d, and as we study Torah, fulfill the commandments, and interact with our environ according to His will, we help to create a Divine world, where everyone recognizes His presence.

Even when we don’t need anything, we still need G-d.

About the Author
The author lives in Toronto, Canada. He has written for ExodusMagazine.org.