The Joy of Praying for Others

JUST when you thought that "holy" means praying constantly for your personal well-being, you have been misinformed. Praying generally means requesting diving intervention on behalf of others, who usually need the prayers more than they realise.
I am no expert on prayers but I feel rather strongly that when one prays, it is most beneficial when the prayers are for others. The saying that goes "what goes around comes around" is most appropriate for prayers and those who pray.
When a person prays, good thoughts and intentions flow unilaterally. Since the source of prayers generates positive thoughts, it is only logical and reasonable that the crucible of generosity thoughts should also be affected by the goodness from which it springs.
Of course, it is not unreasonable to pray for oneself, too. Most of time, that's what happens. People pray all the time for various reasons and for different needs. For example, you think you are stuck in a dead-end job and you get down on your knees and plead to the Big Man upstairs: "Lord, find me a great job with a higher pay. I think I have served enough time in purgatory." Well, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't but who are we to question God.
Some of the prayer requests range from praying for a great husband/wife, praying for wealth (this one is very common), asking for a big, nice house overlooking the sea, praying to win some contest, praying for safety on the road and praying for that pay rise which you think is long overdue.
I believe the most satisfying form of prayer in God's eyes is when you pray for others without any forethought of receiving any reward for yourself. Such prayers are reward by itself.
The laws of heaven are inverse compared to our laws on earth. When we want somethign, we tend to keep it to ourselves. Take for example, money. Few people ever share their wealth. In fact, they want to hide that fact from others.
The law of heaven states that to receive, one must give away first. To learn, one must teach. To receive love, one must give love. It may sound strange to us earthlings but it's time we learn the Truth.
The joy of praying for others is in selfless giving. We give others the power of our sincere prayers. This humble act of praying in silence and preferably in seclusion will be more meaningful if there's no audience watching us. Humility has its merits.
When we enter the realm of silence and shut out all but our honesty and humility, God sits right next to us. Every thought is like a shout to him. The dialogue becomes one with Him. Every good thought is received instantly and replied. The communication is complete and it forms what is called an unbroken circle.
From prayers comes joy everlasting. The aura of spirituality and sustained holiness expands and if we don't allow selfish and meaningless thoughts to disturb us, we will move a few steps closer to the garden of heaven.
The esctasy that comes from such holiness is indescribable. It empowers the person who prays and gives comfort to the one who is being prayed for. Thus, such holy prayers are twice blessed. And it is never strained even when it is sustained over long periods.
Our souls thrive on good, sincere, selfless prayers. It is like fertiliser for our soul. Each time, we pray for others, our souls leap with gladness. It is like a thirsty plant drinking raindrops during a beautiful shower from the sky.
Joy is an intrinsic part of any prayer. This joy is unlike the joy you feel when you are driving a Ferrari. This spiritual joy is neither fleeting nor it is temporary. This joy knows no end and it does not obey time. It gladdens the heart and sustains the soul.
Hence, if you want to feel the mysterious joy that is experienced by saints and people of great characters, pray continuously and pray all the time. Most important of all, pray frequently and constantly for others. Think of yourself last. And "the last shall be first" - this was uttered 2,000 years ago and its wisdom applies even today.
Amen.