Paramhansa Yogananda came to the West with a God-ordained mission: to bring teachings and techniques to help people attain higher consciousness. With wisdom and foresight, Master and the others in our line of gurus saw that a time of global upheaval was coming to the world. Out of compassion, Yoganandaji brought twofold gifts to help us deal with the impending suffering: 1) spiritual tools to achieve God contact, and 2) divine blessings to help us find the courage, faith, and strength to face what lies ahead.
My friends, global upheaval is no longer only a vision of the future; it is already upon us. Hatred, violence, destruction, and warfare are rife. What can we do to help bring light into the world and reestablish peace and harmony in human hearts?
The power of prayer is one of the greatest instruments for positive change. And so I want to share what Yoganandaji taught about making our prayers more effective.
Pray from Your Heart
Learn to speak the inner language of prayer with calm, sincere words that spring from your heart. This is not an emotionally wrought state of mind, but one that has the quiet, open trust of a child lovingly asking his mother for help. This kind of intimate conversation with God unfailingly draws His response. Yogananda said, “When you pray to God, pray from your heart. Heartfelt prayer lends power to your thoughts. It focuses them, and centers them in God. Without sincerity, that focus will be lacking.”
Pray with Confidence
When you pray, cast aside doubts and limiting thoughts. Offer your prayers, not with a sense of entitlement, but with quiet confidence and faith that God wants to help you. Yoganandaji told us, “Never pray with the attitude of a beggar. You are God’s child. Pray with utter confidence that He is listening. Utter faith, and love: these are the most important elements in prayer.”
Pray with Concentration
Before praying, calm the heart and quiet the mind through meditation. Then, when your thoughts are still, concentrate at the spiritual eye and project your prayers with a laser-like focus. Don’t become tense, but with relaxed, one-pointed energy keep holding your prayer up to God. Do it repeatedly, until you begin to feel His presence. Master said, “God answers all prayers, but restless prayers He answers only a little bit. Get control over your mind. When you can pray with concentration, the Lord will know that you mean what you are saying. Then, He will answer you.”
The Peace and Harmony Prayer
Master gave one of his direct disciples the inspiration for a powerful tool for healing conflict: what we’ve come to call “The Peace and Harmony Prayer.” It can be used to heal discord between individuals and between nations. In this context, we encourage you to use it for global healing.
The prayer is quite simple. Visualize the world bathed in light, and for one minute repeat the words: “Lord, fill this world with peace and harmony, peace and harmony.” Then visualize yourself in light, and pray for fifteen seconds: “Lord, fill me with peace and harmony, peace and harmony.” You can use this prayer, or any other that resonates with you.
So, my friend, we invite you to join in prayer with your brothers and sisters in God throughout the world. With devotion, confidence, and concentration, let’s offer our united prayers for world peace. As Christ says in the Bible, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. . . . And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
With joy and hope,
Nayaswami Devi
Listen to Devi as she first reads the blog, then expands on its meaning and messages for readers with behind-the-blog commentary. Subscribe to the podcast or download the audio recording by right-clicking here. Or listen to it here (9:54):
25 Comments
Thank you Devi, so needed. Nalini x
This article resonates with me because it tells me very clearly how I should improve my praying practice and not have doubts.
Thank you so much Devi Ji 🙏
Jai Guru
I will do as you say , thank you!
Dear Devi, 🙏✝️♥️🙏✝️♥️🙏✝️♥️ with a BIG heartful of gratitude
🙏Thanks Devi 🙏
So needed in these times. Thank you Devi
Blessings to all
Thanks for the lovely and heartwarming message.
Thank for this message to remind us that the power of prayer is of utmost importance at this time!
Devi ji has rightly said that due to the current & restless situation going around the world, this prayer has become essential for the peace and harmony of each nation and of the people.
Thanks for sharing Deviji for such powerful prayer. 🙏
Amen!
A big thank you. Love
Thank you so much , I so loveParamahansa Yogananda. I will pray in this manner . Love and peace to all 💗🙏💗
Very enlightening.
Thank you so much. This was just what I was needing, and what the world is needing. I will use this prayer daily now. Thank you.
What a wonderful message !Thank you for sharing.I will definetely use this method for personal as well as world peace.
I have saved your message to read it at least once a week to remind myself.
My gratitude and love to you.
I have prayed for mercy, peace and harmony but loved the reminder to do it better. Thank you!
Ute
🙏🕉❤JAI GURU JAI ❤🕉
JOY LOVE PEACE to all 🙏
Deviji well said: you have told a sublime way of prayer 🙏 to God. Indeed,a communion with Supreme Being ordains full attention and submission when one goes into His presence.
Beautiful! Thank you.
Thank you 🙏🏼. Beautifully explained
Hi Devi matha
I need to meet you. please give me your appointment I have my thoughts about peace and harmony.
Please contact me by mail at gopinath.basai@gmail.com & Whatsapp at +91 9972517461.
Thank you very much for this great writing about deep prayer,
it is,as most all sent writings,a very much needed and timely
reminder and instruction about this important aspect of the path
that can be put into practice with renewed energy and faith.
Dear Nayaswami Devi JI,
Thank you for sharing this blog. Wonderful and much needed during this time
What a great way to start the day reading the blog. Will put in to practice during the day :-)
Joy,
Prem
Thank you Deviji !
For always guiding us gently towards truth and love and compassion.
Ever grateful 🙏🌺🌺🌺🌺
So magnificent I can’t express myself.
May God bless us all.
Thank you so much respected Deviji