Praying For Another

We are taught that if you pray for someone else who has the same struggle or need that you do, your prayers will be answered first.

I tried this last year. A Rabbi who we partner with asked me to daven for him to raise a certain large amount of new money for his cause, and he would pray for me the same.

One year later, it came true. Both of us received new commitments from people for the exact amount.

Why does this work?

My husband says when we pray for ourselves, often, our motives are not so pure, and the reasons behind it are not the right reasons. “G-d, please bring me money so that my spouse will stop nagging me, I can stop working so hard and relax and watch some tv so that I don’t have to worry all the time…”

But if you pray for another, suddenly it’s: “G-d, please bring my friend money so that he has the resources to realize his true potential, and do only good in the world…”

Get it?

I have paired up with him again for a different reason, and with two others for other reasons— the last two for my kids. Each day I try and speak to The Almighty on their behalf, and they are doing so on mine. By speaking it out for them, I gain much deeper clarity about my situation, and the reasons I want relief to become so much purer.

Try it. Pair up with someone who has a similar need as yours, and through being so other-centered, May everyone’s prayers be answered.

Lori