The prayer calmed
“Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice” (Ps. 141,2).
Two tourists traveled in mountains of Switzerland. At approach of night they have appeared in wood. Fortunately, they have found small hotel away from road. One of travelers has told to the companion: «I don't like this hotel. It is a big risk to remain here for the night». Nevertheless they went into hotel. All seemed to them suspicious.
Suddenly the master of the house told: «Friends, every evening we are in the habit to read the Bible and to pray all family. If you want, you can join us». – "Certainly", – travelers agreed with pleasure. After a prayer all dispersed on the rooms. Travelers told each other: «If the owner prays, means, we can sleep easily». The prayer has calmed travelers.
The prayer is the very first sign of Christianity. The prayer to Jesus Christ is solving display of original belief in Lord Jesus. The prayer is breath of the spiritual person.
As the usual person through breathing receives air and derives from it vital strength so the soul through prayer opens itself to Holy Spirit and get life and spiritual strength from Him. The prayer for soul is the same as food for a body; therefore a lack of a prayer the same in a shower that a lack of appetite of a body: powerlessness, illness.
As fish lives in water and due to water, and the soul, which loves God, lives in a prayer and due to prayer. It occurs because that the soul, which loves God, incessantly aspires, thirsts to talk to the beloved Savior. This aspiration sometimes is so great that the people burning with love for God, pray to God even in the sleep, and besides so is strong that sometimes tears of emotion interrupt their dream. We can read in the Song of Solomon 5,2: “I sleep, but my heart waketh”, loves God, searches for God, prays to God, is charmed by God. I sleep, and my heart doesn't sleep: burns, it is shone and stays in fellowship with Him.
P.Shatrov