Sikhism
One God

Prayer

Worship and prayer and one's relationship with God is central to the Sikh faith. Here are some of the basic principles of prayer as practiced by Sikhs.

Sikhs believe that a true prayer is a wonderful channel through which the powerful love current flows from the humble and yearning heart of a sikh to the Lotus feet of his beloved Satguru. It unites the Lover with the beloved Satguru in a true bond of love relationship. A sincere prayer from the heart cannot go unheard, unheeded and unresponded.

A true prayer is a total submission. It is the total surrender at the lotus feet of the Lord. It rises from total humility of the heart; 'I' ego and 'Haumain' remains neutralized. There is no assertion of individuality. A true sense of meekness or nothingness takes over during prayer.

True Bliss is experienced when ego is non-existent. True Bliss fills the void created by the exit of ego, of total surrender of ego at the lotus feet of the Lord. With ego surrendered, there is no more seeking, all desires disappear, the Sweet Will and Bliss of the Lord takes over.

Guru Granth Sahib

When you are free of ego (haumain) a direct divine channel is established between you and the God and in this channel flows Divine Grace, Bliss, peace to the yearning and thirsting soul. The greater the sense of humility the higher the force of flow of Grace and Bliss.

Sikhs also believe that you should not limit yourself to prayer in the morning and in the evening like others do. You should be praying continuously. Your actions and service are part of your prayer.

Prayer should not be contaminated with materialistic desires of greed and lust. Do not approach prayer with a business or bargaining attitude. Lord is certainly not in need of money and other offerings as He bestows these on all.

Real prayer needs no words, no gesture, no thoughts. A real prayer only comes from the Lord.

In true prayer there is no worshipper and worship; there is only the worshipped.

A true prayer needs no reward; it is a reward in itself.

Baba Narinder Singh

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