What's in a Name? The Healing Power of Divine Words

We’ve all had this experience. We’re in prayer, whispering words into silence, and wondering if anyone hears us.

Maybe it's late at night, asking for help with a problem. Maybe it's in the morning, hoping for good news.

When nothing seems to change, we have thoughts like “Is anyone listening?” “Do these words matter?” It's easy to think our words are just floating away into empty space.

I want to share a story about a doctor who thought prayer was pointless - until a simple lesson changed his mind.

Art by Charbak Dipta

Whenever I get doubt about the power of prayers I remember the above story.

It really reminds me that there's power in the words of prayer, and they matter even more if we recite them with intention and meaning.

We may not always get what we want. In fact, not getting what we pray for might be one of our greatest blessings. Imagine if every prayer was instantly granted – our world would be chaos, driven by our short-term wants instead of divine wisdom.

As the Qur’an reminds us:

"But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And God knows, while you know not." (2:216)

So let us see prayer - not as a list of requests, but as a conversation that slowly changes who we are.

The doctor learned that even a single word could stir his body and mind. If that's true, think about what happens when we pray with an open heart, when we truly mean every word we say to God.

Whether we're seeking healing, guidance, or strength, each prayer leaves its mark on us. And even in moments of doubt, when answers seem distant, we're growing in ways we may only understand later.