By Oyeyinka Fabowale
What is prayer? What does it entail and how does it work? How must one pray? What does one pray for?
Almost anyone asked these questions will thump his chest and affirm he knows. But you can bet that the answers that might be proffered would be as many and varied as the countless creeds on earth along with their faithful.
Reading ‘Make Your Work A Prayer’ by Olusola Adeyegbe, however, challenges the reader to re-examine his and other familiar notions and practices of prayer. Atheists, agnostics and all those who fall under the canopy of being ‘freethinkers’ will also be shocked to discover that the concept is more simple, natural albeit living process than the picture of formal episodic religious rites they ostensibly find unappealing!
Concise, lucid and well illustrated, the book of just 54 pages offers comprehensive and widely ramified enlightenment about what true and effective prayer is and how one may and should set about it with the certainty of it being granted. More than that, it reveals why and how prayer is so crucial, in fact, ineluctable, if man must enjoy a wholesome, happy life and fulfil his earthly goals and higher purpose.
With rare candour and impeccable logic, the author deconstructs the prevailing views about prayer, arguing convincingly that it is not: a babel of prolonged, noisy verbal pleas, ‘begging’ for fulfilment of selfish desires, invocation of evils on perceived enemies, decreeing or commanding the Almighty to sanction personal wishes under false cloak of humility, contrition and supplication accompanied by self-denial/deprivation (fasting), recitation of some specific words and/or a routine religious exercise!
Instead, prayer, he writes, is reverence, reverence of the Almighty Creator and Source of all beings which could be expressed at solemn moments dedicated for the purpose or be spontaneous. But in reality , the author asserts, man prays with and through his everyday activity. The thoughts, words and deeds issuing from him, be they good, evil or bad, draw from and shape themselves into reality with Divine Power streaming through creation in synergy with a set of Natural Laws also called Creation Laws. Thus, what he thinks, says, does at every moment of his life have far more reaching effect than multitudes of words and hours spent in so -called praying!
Whichever form, however, prayer, Adeyegbe maintains, requires devotion, concentration and purity in large measure. If it is an intentional converse with the Creator it is best conducted in an idyllic, solemn and secluded ambience. This will enhance concentration, focus and energy which are conditions necessary to propel the prayer to the throne of Grace, where all granting comes. The supplicant can count on light and bliss springing forth and suffusing his life, even when he has been weighed down by suffering.
In seven crisp, curt and yet loaded chapters, Adeyegbe explains that prayer is not about imposing one’s wishes or desires on the Almighty, but humbly aligning his volition, thoughts, words and deeds with Divine Wisdom embodied and expressed in the Laws of Creation that activate and regulate all activities and processes in the universe.
Principal ones among the Laws are: the Law of sowing and reaping; Law of like things attracting their kindred and Law of spiritual gravitation which ordains that pure and light things ascend while impure and heavy ones sink! Every activity of man is charged and takes effect through the powers of these laws, which are incorruptible and operate inflexibly, impartially and with perfect consistency and accuracy. Thus, they are uninfluenced by men’s flattery, guile intellectual calculations, hypocrisy and superficiality, but ensure that man gets exactly what he deserves and deserves what he gets in life, according to how he adjusts himself to the nature and dictates of these Laws carrying out the Will of the Almighty.
Light, loving and positive thoughts, words and actions, therefore, produce abundance of similar effects without any needing to “bribe” the Almighty with any sycophancy or fawning gesture. Since the Almighty is an embodiment of Goodness, a man with impure inner life and full of evil deeds cannot hope to reap blessings, no matter how much he exerts himself in ‘praying’. According to the author, therefore, man’s prayers can only be heard and fulfilled when the content and intents or goal reflect or align with the manifest nature of God – infinitely good, perfect, pure, loving and just.
This presupposes an understanding of – and trust in – God, which automatically compels him to strive to adjust his ways in accordance with the Divine Will and which in effect, guarantees his welfare and protection from harm, even without asking. Life for him becomes one of perpetual thanksgiving, as he experiences one miracle after another, declares the author. In fact, happiness is an expression of gratitude, which in a sense is a form of prayer. Adeyegbe took pains to unpack how this is so in the book.
In addition, he gives useful tips for efficacious prayers, stressing that it must be approached with humbleness, purity of thoughts and devoid of distractions, manifold request list, a sense of entitlement, bargaining and expectations of predetermined outcome. The form fulfilment will take should be left to the Most High, Who alone knows what is in the overall best interest of the supplicant, the author advises. In fact, he cautions man not to feel disappointed when his wish appears not to be answered as the ultimate fulfilment, even though different, often invariably turns out to be the right one and in his overall best interest. This, man himself always acknowledges with delight and gratitude.
Apart from this, the book warns that ‘praying’ is useless unless it is impelled by deep and earnest inner stirring, from within the soul. Without such serious urge a prayer lacks vitality, is spiritless and of no value! Praying is being linked to and drawing from streams of light, power and strength to enable man fulfil what he is praying for.
Drawing copiously from the scriptures, and other sacred knowledge of other religions and ‘In the Light of Truth: The Grail Message of Abd-ru-shin, which, he repeatedly emphasizes as the principal source of his own understanding, Adeyegbe throws light on these and other issues including the rationale for the institution of special hours of prayers such as in the Islamic religion; significance of the sacred name, God, ‘Amen’ etc and the implications of their abuse and misuse by mankind not only in invocations but also frivolously in everyday conversations. The book reveals the right approach and attitude to adopt in addressing the sublime names and tapping from the beneficial energy of their true essence.
Among other relevant subjects the book treated is intercessory prayer. It describes how it works, saying the effect is also not arbitrary but depends on the worthiness or otherwise of the one for whom it is intended, which can either facilitate or block fulfilment.
The summary of this remarkable work is that man has little or no need to be anxious or beg for anything as long as he lives and works in harmony with the Laws of God. The author illustrates this with the example of an obedient child who is thus pleasing to his parents. He is assured of their protection, ample provision and care at all times. His exposition on the true essence of the Lord’s Prayer, which affords the reader a unique and more profound appreciation of the interpretation of this age-old piece of prayer, underscores the point further. Rather than a set of rote lines and verses, the reader sees the Lord’s Prayer in a totally new light, going beyond being a mere piece of prayer to being the good gospel itself in capsule! A masterpiece composition that at the same time offers the one praying the “key to the Kingdom of God”.
The author teases the reader to explore and unearth the treasures it contains, giving just a gist. To wit: that man is actually on earth to put to use his endowments to serve the Owner and Bestower, His Creator. This means to work with his gifts, abilities and slumbering virtues to transform his environment into a replica of God’s kingdom, Paradise for his benefit and that of his fellow creatures. The pursuit of this goal in various aspects of his life – career, business, family affairs, relationships brings him both spiritual and earthly benefits. Hence the words, “Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and all other things shall be added unto you,” shall be fulfilled.
Thus, it is detrimental when man prioritize mundane goals and desires – wealth, fame, positions, pleasure above requests that can aid his spiritual development and ascent, as, in accordance with the Law of spiritual gravitation, such predilection ties him more to earthly things which may hinder, deter and even frustrate his spiritual uplift and timely escape from the troubled world of matter facing imminent disintegration, into the safe, luminous realms of eternal bliss, Paradise.
The strength of this modest albeit profound book lies not only in its visually appealing cover design, but also in its wealth of practical illustrations and analogies from everyday life. They are so simple, clear and easy for the reader to grasp and relate with. Though a lawyer, this book reveals Adeyegbe as being both a teacher and preacher, judging by the pedagogic overtone and palpable evangelical undertone of his discourse.
Coming at a time the world is in a state of confusion on matters spiritual, this book offers clarity and authoritative information and education that can guide the earnest seeker through the maze of falsehood, ignorance and darkness to victorious knowledge in the Light of Truth. In it you have a Christmas present worth more than gold! I sincerely recommend getting copies for yourself and for your loved ones too.
