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As
the flame clothes the black sooty lump of coal in a garment of fire and
releases the heat imprisoned therein, so does prayer clothe a man in a garment
of holiness, evoking the light and fire implanted within him by his Maker,
illuminating his whole being and uniting the lower and higher worlds. (Zohar)
(When
praying with proper devotion) the hour of prayer is like the seed of time and
its fruit. The remaining hours are like paths that lead to this time...The
value of prayer to the soul is like the value of food to the body. Every
prayer rests upon man until the time for the next prayer, just like a meal
will sustain man until the next meal. (Kuzari 3:5)
The
words of prayer that man utters with his tongue are like the peel of a fruit.
The appreciating and understanding of the words is the fruit itself. The words
of prayer are like the body of man, while kavna in prayer is like his
soul...Prayer without kavana can be compared to a servant who is visited by
his master. The servant commands his household to honor his master and serve
him all his needs, while the servant himself goes out and involves himself in
laughter and merriment...(Chovos HaLevovos, Cheshbon HaNefesh 3:9)
Do
not ask, how can one say that Tefillah is Avodah to Hashem, if the Avodah is
with intent to receive reward. For we have explained that the concept of
Avodah is to show how everything is owned by Hashem...In Tefillah we pray as a
servant who asks his master for his needs, thus showing his dependence on the
master...Therefore, Tefillah is the ultimate Avodah, which shows man's
complete dependence on Hashem. (Maharal, Path of Avodah, Ch. 1)
Some
ask on Tefillah, if man deserves to receive what he is requesting from Hashem,
he will get it anyhow. If he does not deserve it, how can prayer help...(The
answer is that the purpose of) Tefillah is to perfect the deficiency of man.
Only then will Hashem listen to his prayers and requests. (Maharal, Path of
Avodah, Ch.2)
(The
Maharal can be understood as follows:) If man is sensitive to his deficiency
in his Avodas Hashem and strongly desires help from Heaven, the desire itself
is his prayer, which results in Hashem granting his requests. (Michtav
MeEliyahu, Vol. 4, pg. 61)
There
is a covenant cut with those who cry out from the depths (that their prayers)
will not return empty-handed. (Meiri, Essay on Teshuva)
The
essence of prayer is strengthening the pillars of faith that "Ain Ode
Milvado", there is nothing besides Him. (Rav Yechezkiel Levenstein)
The
essence of prayer is to make a close connection to the Creator, to turn to Him
and recognize that everything is from Him. (Rav Ahron Kotler, Mishnas Reb
Ahraon, Vol. 1, pg 92)
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