Praying is a way to connect with the divine. In the traditional sense, in prayer we often ask for our heart’s desire. The heart yearns for many things and those yearnings bring lessons that help us to grow and understand a greater view of life and our spiritual nature. They move us in the direction of our soul needs to help us expand and move more into sync with divine wisdom.

The original sense of the word “prayer” comes from the Latin root “precaria” which means “to beg.” Often our prayers may sound like begging as we seek help to understand a difficult situation, or intervention on behalf of a loved one who is endanger.

The renowned yogi, Yogananda offered up several noble prayers for inspiration that may inspire you on this national day of prayer.

“Dear Father, whatever conditions confront me, I know that they represent the next step in my unfoldment. I will welcome all tests because I know that within me is the intelligence to understand and the power to overcome.” — from Where There is Light by Paramahansa Yogananda

“O Divine Teacher, let me realize that though the gloom of my ignorance be age-old, with the dawn of Thy light the darkness will vanish as though it had never been.” — from Where There is Light by Paramahansa Yogananda

“Bless me, that I may find Thee in the temple of each thought and activity. Finding Thee within, I will find Thee without, in all people, and in all conditions.” — from Where There is Light by Paramahansa Yogananda*

Another ancient prayer comes from the Asatoma Mantra usually in Sanskrit. The words ask for wisdom and light on the path to realization.

Lead us from the unreal to the real,

Lead us from darkness to light,

Lead us from death to immortality.

Peace, Peace, Peace.

But prayers that originate from the purity of your heart will arise and fly straight to the source. What will you pray for today?

(*Self-Realization Fellowship, Los Angeles, CA. All rights reserved)

 Bio: Debra Moffitt is author of Awake in the World: 108 Practices to Live a Divinely Inspired Life. A visionary, dreamer and teacher, she’s devoted to nurturing the spiritual in everyday life. She leads workshops on spiritual practices at the Sophia Institute and other venues in the U.S. and Europe. Her mind/body/spirit articles, essays and stories appear in publications around the globe and were broadcast by BBC World Services Radio. She has spent over fifteen years practicing meditation, working with dreams and doing spiritual practices. Visit her online at http://www.awakeintheworld.com.