An Invitation from the King of Kings

Have you ever felt that prayer is a duty?

Something you "have to do"?

Many of us, at times, see prayer as a burden. We might even catch ourselves thinking, “Oh, God needs my prayer. I’m doing Him a favour.”

When we think this way we tend to become transactional with God – "God, if you do this for me, I'll pray."

If not a duty, then what is prayer?

This leads me to a Sufi Comic illustrating a King who saw prayer as only an obligation.

Art by Charbak Dipta

The idea that God needs our prayers is far from the truth.

Quran (35:15-16) "O mankind, you are those in need of God, while God is the Free of need, the Praiseworthy."

Prayer, when we truly understand it, is extraordinary.

Imagine this: the King of Kings, extending an invitation. An invitation not for formality, but for an intimate conversation.

It's a chance to come clean, to express our deepest concerns, to ask anything.

This is not a transactional relationship where we say, “God, you do this for me, and I’ll do this for you.” Instead, it's an offer of a personal connection, a dialogue with the Divine.

When we remind ourselves of the true nature of prayer, our perception changes. It's no longer a chore. It becomes something we look forward to.

A moment of peace, understanding, and profound connection.

So, the next time you prepare for prayer, remember this: You are stepping into an intimate dialogue with the Creator.

It's not a duty; it's a privilege. An opportunity to be heard, to be comforted, and to grow.