When does God listen to our prayers? King David taught that this is a function of how we pray:
"God is near to all who call upon Him - to all who call upon Him in truth." (Psalm 145:18)
What does it mean to call upon God "in truth"? What kind of prayer is this?
Falsehood is transitory and fleeting. Truth, on the other hand, is eternal and enduring. That is why the World to Come is called "the World of Truth", in reference to its eternal nature.
Calling out to God "in truth" means to seek out that which is true and eternal. This type of prayer aspires to the true purpose of our existence, the very essence of life. When we pray for assistance in finding the correct path to serve God, God fulfills this genuine wish of the soul. As the psalm continues: "He fulfills the will of those who revere Him; He hears their cry and delivers them." (Ibid. 145:19)
[Based on Olat Riya vol. I, pp. 226-7]
"God is near to all who call upon Him - to all who call upon Him in truth." (Psalm 145:18)
What does it mean to call upon God "in truth"? What kind of prayer is this?
Falsehood is transitory and fleeting. Truth, on the other hand, is eternal and enduring. That is why the World to Come is called "the World of Truth", in reference to its eternal nature.
Calling out to God "in truth" means to seek out that which is true and eternal. This type of prayer aspires to the true purpose of our existence, the very essence of life. When we pray for assistance in finding the correct path to serve God, God fulfills this genuine wish of the soul. As the psalm continues: "He fulfills the will of those who revere Him; He hears their cry and delivers them." (Ibid. 145:19)
[Based on Olat Riya vol. I, pp. 226-7]