How often do we think about other people? Do we really take an interest in anyone other than ourselves? Everything around us – the media, the economy, our jobs – encourages us to be selfish and egocentric. Yes indeed, the world we live in can sometimes be a very dark and lonely place. Materialism and personal gain always seem to be the name of the game.
The Psalmist said of his relationship with God, “My soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land, where there is no water” (63:2). When we have indulged ourselves in materialism, when we realize how selfish we have become, we thirst for something else, for more meaning. We desire to lift ourselves up and see the world from a more lofty perspective.
Common thinking tells us that the more we have the happier we are. If we feel low we should go out and buy ourselves a treat: for some this means a good book or new clothes whilst for others it means buying a new car or boat. Whatever it is, it does not seem to achieve the long term result of making us feel content. Of course it doesn’t: the fact is that the more we do only for ourselves the less content we will be. Contentment comes from being of service to others.
How can we train ourselves to think about the feelings and needs of others? How can we teach ourselves to see the world from a deeper perspective? The answer, I believe, is prayer.
Prayer makes one aware that one is not alone in the world, in fact it makes one realize that the only true existence is God – everything depends totally on Him. This is why we pray, petitioning God with our needs. By standing in front of God three times a day in prayer we make God a part of our life – we learn to see the world from a deeper perspective, as an extension of God’s reality.
Physical pleasures lose their desirability in the context of the true reality of the world. Why work solely for ones own benefit, when one can work for a deeper purpose? With this mindset the focus is on becoming closer to God instead of promoting personal pleasure and prestige.
Through prayer, the sense of self-importance is lessened, and room is created for other people. Once we are no longer enwrapped in ourselves, others can become a focus of concern. So prayer trains us to make room in our lives for others. In other words, it helps us along the road of contentment.
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is a time dedicated to prayer, so when in Shul this High Holy days let us allow our prayers to make a real improvement to our lives and to the lives of those around us.
May we all be inscribed for a healthy and contented New Year.