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for the purpose of knowing Hashem and knowing the entire person is focused, thinks about the words that he is saying and
Torah, all of which consists of the knowledge of Hashem. has no alien thoughts, as long as he does not want what he is
And remember that all of your success and good life in this saying and beseeching, his prayer is without deep feeling. It does
world correspond to your knowledge. Therefore, arouse not rise, and it will not be accepted. That is because (as previously
your will to want knowledge. Remind yourself that only stated) prayer is not the service of the mind but the service of the
Hashem graciously gives knowledge, so that you may fully heart—and the heart is a person’s intent. This means that prayer
invest all of your will in receiving knowledge in your prayers with deep feeling exists only when a person wants what he says.
and pleading with Hashem. To the degree that a person works on his will, to that degree his
service of the heart is complete, unblemished and flawless. Then he
Together with the will to receive knowledge, together with the is assured that his prayer will be answered. As the midrash states,
heartfelt desire and yearning to receive knowledge, you must “This is a sign of prayer: if a person has directed his heart to pray,
focus on each word—i.e., you must recite every word slowly, he is assured that his prayer will be accepted” (Devarim Rabbah 2).
with emphasis and feeling. The prayer states, “Graciously give The meaning of the word “directed” is that a person desires what
us from Yourself wisdom, understanding and knowledge.” he is asking for.

When you say, “Graciously give us,” think: “give us an “Give Me Your Hearts and I Will Lead You on a New
unearned gift.”
Path”
When you say, “from Yourself,” think: “from You, Hashem.”
Therefore, we learn that prayer is the service of the heart and
When you say, “wisdom,” think: “the knowledge of things as not the service of the mouth or of the mind. Even if a person
they are.” contemplates every word he says, the essence of the work of prayer
is the arousal of the heart with will and longing. This is what Hashem
When you say, “understanding,” think: “the ability to infer wants. As our sages state, “The Holy One, blessed be He, desires
one matter from another and comprehend a matter in depth.” the heart” (Sanhedrin 106b). That is to say, Hashem wants us to
want what we are praying for. He wants all of our prayers to come
When you say, “and knowledge,” think: “complete knowledge,” from the depths of our heart. Thus, the Rambam rules (Mishneh
as you connect to and integrate what you intellectually know into Torah: Tefillah 4):
your life.
Every prayer that lacks deep feeling is not
“My Soul Pours Out upon Me” (Job 30:16) prayer…. What is deep feeling? That means that a
person empties his heart of all thoughts and views himself
Because prayer as a whole is a framework for the expression of as though he is standing before the Shechinah.
the will, it is possible and necessary to review its words over
and over again, and each time draw forth new meaning, Therefore, a person must sit for a little while before
new and original intentions and new ideas. Therefore, with praying in order to direct his heart, and then pray calmly
every phrase, you must generate new thoughts and intentions. I will and implore [Hashem]. He should not pray like a person
explain this here in the most practical way: carrying a burden, who throws it down and goes on his
way.
“Graciously give us from Yourself wisdom, understanding and