The Science of Prayer

Alan L. Pritz

What comes to mind when thinking of science? My unedited image is one of laboratories, bubbling vials, steamy vapors, and white-cloaked, wild-haired individuals, laughing oddly as they scurry from test tubes to flashing dials. Evidently I've watched more Frankenstein movies and X-Files shows than real scientists!

The science I'm about to address pertains to something not typically found in labs, that of prayer. But first, what actually is science? While there may be varied definitions, a couple common elements prevail. One is the search for the nature of things, what they are and how they work. Second is the ability to conduct tests and reproduce results to establish the facts discovered. This in turn allows for application, the ability to use learned knowledge with predictable outcomes.

Next one must ask, "What is prayer?" Again, definitions differ depending on how one interprets its form and focus. For those who enjoy categorizing items, it's important to explore how prayer is constructed, where it's directed, and for what purpose it's used. I prefer to think more simply, that prayer may change according to context without altering what it truly is, essential communion between soul and Spirit.

Whether a person considers prayer as mental energy sending or a petition for divine aid is basically a matter of taste. Like looking at cake from the perspective of a chemist or a child, the outlook may vary but the cake remains the same. The science behind prayer is such that relative belief about its nature does little, if anything, to prayer itself. The mechanics of its process is uniform and equally effective. Let's explore this rather bold statement further.

Begin by recognizing an absurdity, that no one prays with their toes. Rather, prayer is done with head and heart, or, thought and feeling. Why? Because of consciousness. Consciousness is the germ of awareness that links the singular to the Whole, created to Creator, soul to Spirit. Even if one believed only in the dry operation of immutable cosmic laws, there must be a way to impact these laws effectively. And if one can achieve that, there must be a way to do so optimally. Again, that way involves consciousness. Note how.

When praying, thought and feeling are projected into the "ethers" with the belief that such emanations will be both detected and responded to. It is central to the science of prayer to determine if there is a uniform, optimal way to accomplish this and whether that process can be reproduced with equal results. In other word, what makes prayer most effective and how can that end be repeatedly attained? This requires a basic understanding of the principles behind active and receptive modes of consciousness.

The easiest way to convey these principles is by analogy. A Hamm radio unit can broadcast and receive radio signals around the world. A walky-talky performs likewise but at close range and with fewer frequencies. A simple am/fm radio receives transmissions only. According to yogic science, the human body is also equipped to send and receive energy transmissions. When done between the thought force of people this is called telepathy. Done between soul and Spirit is prayer.

The key to effective prayer, as with radio transmissions, is strength of signal, ability to broadcast, and power of receptivity. This involves six things:

• Concentration
• Attunement
• Will Power
• Focus
• Devotion
• Receptivity

Concentration is a state of mind wherein consciousness is withdrawn from all objects of distraction and placed upon a single item of focus.

Attunement Like a radio, the mind needs to be set to the right frequency to broadcast and receive. Ordinary mental states are restless. Since meditation calms the mind, it eliminates thought static and brings consciousness to clear connection with Spirit. Hence prayer is best done after deep meditation.
Will Power is like the amperage of a transmitter. The stronger the will, the better the thought and feeling projection.

Focus is the ability to stay on track. When people pray absent-mindedly, they lose the concentrated power of mind and compromise right application of will.

Devotion fuels the entire activity. Without heartfelt feeling, prayer lacks the necessary conviction and depth to be effective.

Receptivity is both an immediate and lingering quality. It is the ability to correctly intuit both immediate and delayed responses to prayer.

Putting It All Together

Begin with meditation. Focus solely on uniting with the Absolute. Once that connection is established, begin to pray. Here's how to do so and why. The spiritual eye is a center of will and divine consciousness from which thoughts are broadcast. To make prayer potent, meld deep feeling with concentrated thought and beam both out from that center to Spirit. Doing so with continuous will, fervor, and faith imbues prayer with creative volition. When a bursting joy fills you and continues to do so, the prayer has been "heard". Now become receptive. Drop your awareness to the heart center of intuition and "listen" for responses. These come, albeit often mysteriously, according to the nature of your prayer. If asking a question, you may get insights, feelings of right or wrong, or perhaps delayed answers from conversations or literary passages. This process also applies to prayers for tangible items. Watch how your prayers are answered and express appropriate gratitude. Lastly, keep the faith! Faith is like a cup holding water. Without it, contents slip away. Prayer, when done as outlined above and not derailed by doubt or negation, will consistently yield results.