We have all experienced times of trouble, the dark hours of illness, sorrow and loneliness in our lives. At those times, we understood quite clearly that God is really the one who controls our destiny, and we cried out to him from the depths of our soul. Unfortunately, however, after these moments passed, we lost that feeling of total dependency in God. Somewhere, in the recesses of our minds, we also trust in our financial assets or in other people. We may feel that we don't need anyone's help, we trust in our own strength and wisdom.
Can a person who has received salvation through Divine intervention, still maintain the same feeling of desperation and pain that he previously experienced in the darkest and bleakest moments of his life? Besides the natural emotional tendency of the human personality to relax and feel secure once things seem "in the bag," there is even an intellectual argument to consider. Does one really need to pray with such fervor after his redemption? Does a person whose life was spared in a terrorist attack still need to feel totally powerless and living only because of the kindness of Hashem? Does a sick person still need to pour out his heart in supplication even after a cure has been found?
No matter how secure we seem to be, no matter how healthy, successful, strong, and blessed we may feel because of all the bounty God showers upon us, we should never feel any different from the one who is completely desolate and destitute. Our prayers should always reflect the appreciation that the happiness we enjoy every second of our lives depends on a constant infusion of Hashem's kindness and compassion. Nothing can be taken for granted, even the breath of life itself. Understanding of this truth enables one always to turn to prayer with the same fervor and urgency.
This is not an artificial mindset to enhance prayers. It is a reality. At any moment, a person can suddenly lose the gifts he somehow assumed were granted to him forever. It is only the continual flow of Hashem's mercy, sustaining us with kindness even when we don't deserve it, that gives us the confidence to face life and its challenges.
If we realize our complete dependency upon Hashem for even our most basic needs, we will be able to pray to Him once again with all our heart and our prayers will take on new meaning, new richness, depth, and sincerity as we put our absolute trust in the love and compassion of our Almighty Father in Heaven.
Rav Henoch Leibowitz, as quoted in Pinnacle of Creation (Artscroll series, p. 126, 129)
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