WHAT WILL BE DONE?

Yesterday I posted the message above on my Facebook page. It was a question to "the Universe" and I have been waiting for an answer.  The question led me subconsciously to a word - Prayer. This morning I am thinking about the word "prayer." So here I go. 

Merriam Webster defines "Prayer" as a noun with the first meaning "an address (such as a petition) to God." The "B" definition calls prayer "an earnest request or wish."

The word "Pray" is a verb. Praying is an action. It is something we do. The Hebrew word is תפילה (tə-fil-lāh). 

Deuteronomy 10:12 -- And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,

We are commanded to "serve Him with all your heart" and all our being (soul). Notice it doesn't say our mind or our hands or feet. Prayer is a labor of the heart. The concept of serving with "all our soul" implies an act of surrendering.  Prayer is an expression of what our soul, our being, longs for. 

When it comes to praying, it doesn't matter whether one is a man or woman, young or old, etc. The purity of the heart matters. 

Prayer is a declaration of love and an expression of spiritual longing. When we pray, we humble ourself in our effort to reach across the divide between the petitioner, us, and the provider, Elohim. In prayer, the heart speaks. God knows our heart. 

When I pray I am seeking to close the gap between me and Adonai. Prayer is first an effort to reach. Before I can have an exchange, I need to make a connection. Therein is my challenge because I feel so unworthy to be close enough to be heard. How do I close the psychic sense of the distance between me and my Maker? This is where I think most of us get hung up and give up. Don't give up!

What can I learn from the word itself? 

I find that the Hebrew word, particularly the Hebrew letters, offers me insight and understanding.  So let's look at the letters in Tefillah (תפילה):

The word tefillah in Hebrew begins with Hebrew letter Tav. This is the last Hebrew letter, it is the ancient symbol of a cross. 

Next we have the letter Pe. Peh is the Hebrew word for "mouth." Rather appropriate since we are seeking to speak with God.

Smack in the center is the next letter, the letter Yod. We are reaching up to God. We are also hoping God is holding His hand to us. 

Then we have a Lamed - a Shepherd's crook. "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." Psalm 23. That is a good sign. Notice the way the lamed is drawn, it is in the shape a Shepherd would have it if he is grabbing the sheep. The Shepherd would have the straight end in his hand and with the crook-end he would grab the sheep or goat. I am feeling it; how about you? 

Finally we have the letter Hey. This letter means to behold or to reveal. Do you see how these letters culminate so nicely with hey? 

The Root of the Matter

I like to look at the root of the word for more understanding. The root of tefillah is פלל (palal) which can mean "to judge," "to intervene," or "to mediate."  Such is the case with our prayers. 

Conclusion 

The Hebrew name for the Book of Psalms is Tehillim, which translates to "praises" or "songs of praise." David's prayers (tefillot-תְּפִלָּה) praise God. I think this verse by David brings it all together:

Psalm 19:14 -- "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."

In our prayer we make a request, but ultimately, it is God's will that will be done. My opening question has been answered.  

Now, may your prayers and mine be answered.

Amen