🤲 The True Purpose of Prayer

Greetings!

We’re in the midst of the blessed month of Ramadan.

As we immerse ourselves in prayer, fasting, and spiritual renewal, I’ve been reflecting on the true purpose of prayer that I want to share with you.

When we increase our prayers this month, it's easy to fall into a transactional mindset, thinking that if we just pray hard enough, God will grant our every wish.

We tell God in our prayers, "If you do this for me, then I'll do this for you." It’s like treating our prayers like a divine vending machine—insert the right words, and out pops the desired result.

However, the purpose of prayer is quite the opposite. It's not meant to be transactional but transformative.

When we pray, we enter into a mindset of surrender.

What do I mean by "mindset of surrender?" What's there to surrender?

We surrender by acknowledging the truth, "I'm not in control."

A force is animating this universe from the sub-atomic levels to the farthest stars. That same force is running through me and my thoughts. This force was there before me and will continue after me.

Prayer is an attempt to align my heart and mind to that force.

Yes, I want good health, happiness for my family and financial freedom. But I can't achieve these things on my own.

And I don't understand the grand scheme of things. I don't even know if these things are good for me.

Therefore I need God's guidance to give me what I need that is best for me.

With that mindset, I then pray to God for what I want.

When I approach prayer this way, I get a sense of peace, knowing that while I strive toward something, I'm not operating from a place of control but from a place of surrender.

I'm allowing what's best to happen, not necessarily what my mind wants.

And it becomes easier for me to accept what happens instead of fighting it.

Prayer becomes a practice beyond just asking God for things, but a process of reflection and transformation.

Do you have a story to share about a time when your prayers were answered?

Or when it wasn’t but what happened was better?

I’d love to read it. Let me know by replying to this email.

Warm regards,
Mohammed Ali

PS. The above reflection is a slightly modified version of a chapter from our book Sufi Lines. Click here to check out the book.

Announcement & Updates:

This Ramadan, I found a fantastic resource for our little ones: Noor Kids Ramadan Camp. It's a unique blend of fun, education, and values that I personally enjoyed with my kids. It's engaging, informative, and surprisingly enjoyable for them. It’s free. Use this link to invite them from your phone.