An Example of
Super Prayer

When a person becomes so close to his Lord that “the taker” and “The Giver” come on to the same plane, this is the moment when his prayer is not just a word out of the dictionary, but it is expressive of the caller’s whole personality.

We can find an example of a super prayer in an instance that relates to a child who lived in Rampur, a town in Uttar Pradesh, (India). The child said to his father, “Please buy me a bicycle.” The father’s income was not sufficient for him to be able to afford a bicycle, so he ignored the request. The child used to ask for a bicycle repeatedly, and the father repeatedly rejected his request. Finally, he scolded his son one day: “I have told you I cannot buy a bicycle. Do not talk to me about it again? Otherwise, I will beat you.” At this, the child’s eyes filled with tears. He remained silent for some time. Then, in tears, he said: “You are my father. If I do not ask of you, then whom should I ask?” These words touched his father. Suddenly, he was moved and said: “All right, son, I will buy you a bicycle. I will do it tomorrow.” As he spoke, his eyes also filled with tears. The next day he arranged for a loan and got a bicycle for his son.

The son had just uttered some words, but his whole being had become one with his words as he did so. These words meant that he had surrendered himself to his guardian. These words brought him to the point where his son’s request became as significant an issue for the father as it was for the son. The son’s words brought the father face to face with the idea that if he did not give his son a bicycle, his fatherhood would be questioned.

This incident leads us to understand what kind of prayer (dua) attracts God’s mercy to the caller. These are not words learned by rote. True prayer is one into which the caller has poured his whole being. When the caller weeps with helplessness, this cannot be borne by the heavens or the earth. When a person becomes so close to his Lord that “the taker” and “the Giver” come on to the same plane, this is the moment when his prayer is not just a word out of the dictionary, but it is expressive of the caller’s whole personality. At that time, God’s blessings are showered upon the servant. Both the servant and the Lord become well pleased with one another. The All-Powerful embraces the all-helpless.