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on the wholeness of his will in his prayers. Thus, if a person’s will knowledge.” Recite this word by word (as mentioned above). Have
is not integrated into his prayer completely, his prayer does not in mind that you want to know and recognize Hashem, which is the
have the power to bring about salvations. In order to bring about purpose of creation (as stated above).
salvations, we need complete prayer emerging from complete
will. Our sages teach that “prayer is a substitute for the sacrifices” Repeat this phrase—“Graciously give us from Yourself wisdom,
(Berachot 26a), and a verse states, “Do not sacrifice whatever has understanding and knowledge”—reciting each word with all your
a blemish in it, because it will not be willingly accepted for intent and with all your heart. Have in mind that you want to know
you” (Leviticus 22:20). A lack of will is a blemish—it is lacking. And the entire Torah, and to know Hashem by means of knowing the
the verse indicates that the blemish is in the will. Supernal “willing Torah.
acceptance” mirrors our will. When there is a blemish in our will,
there is a lack of “willing acceptance” in heaven. This applies to Again, repeat the phrase, “Graciously give us from Yourself
our prayers: when a person’s will is whole and it is attached and wisdom, understanding and knowledge.” Have in mind that you
connected to his prayer—like that of Hannah, who poured forth all want to know that there is no other but He.
of her will—the prayer is called “perfect service,” and it is willingly
accepted. Therefore, when God listens to our prayers, they are Repeat the phrase a fourth time, and as you say the words,
said to be “willingly accepted.” But when we lack will in prayer, “Graciously give us from Yourself wisdom, understanding and
that prayer is blemished, and it is not willingly accepted. Thus, this knowledge,” have in mind that you want to know that there is no
prayer is not answered. evil in the world.
A pleasing allusion to this appears in Rabbi Nachman’s statement Again, repeat the words, “Graciously give us from Yourself
that the presence of some minor turmoil in a person’s prayer wisdom, understanding and knowledge,” with all your feeling and
indicates that his service of Hashem is not whole (Likutei Moharan I intent, and have in mind that Hashem is solely good and does good,
4). Rabbi Nachman calls this minor turmoil a sheretz—an unclean, and that everything is good.
crawling creature—because the word sheretz has the same letters as
the word ratzon, “will.” The turmoil in a person’s prayer prevents Review the words a sixth time and have in mind that you want to
his will from entering completely into his prayer. As a result, says know your own insignificance.
Rabbi Nachman, “This Jew cannot engage in wholehearted service.” The seventh time, have in mind that you want to always know
The blemish in his prayer is the opposite of the wholehearted service what Hashem wants from you and what He is hinting to you in
of Hashem.
everything that you experience.
This supports the wonderful and fundamental description of deep The eighth time you say, “Graciously give us from Yourself…,”
feeling in prayer: a person’s deep feeling in prayer corresponds plead to find Hashem and know Hashem in everything in your life.
to his intent. The more intent a person has in prayer, the more
deep-felt it is. When a person’s intent is whole, his deep feeling is Repeat the words again and have in mind with every word that
whole, and therefore his prayer is whole and effective! you want true knowledge and true advice regarding every matter
in your life. Continue at length and implore and beseech Hashem
I will explain: What is the meaning of “prayer that lacks deep
feeling”? Certainly, I am not talking about a person who daydreams for knowledge, and have in mind that you wish to receive true
holy will, a strong and firm will to attain everything that you have
while he prays—i.e., who says the words without even thinking learned about in this book.
about them. Clearly, there is no feeling there at all. But even if a
