Rabbi Nachman encourages us to pray for everything, no matter how big or small, even for things that might seem trivial or unimportant. He once told a disciple that it’s essential to get into the habit of turning to HaShem for all your needs, whether it’s a major life challenge or something as simple as needing a new piece of clothing. Rabbi Nachman’s point is that prayer shouldn’t just be reserved for big, spiritual matters like seeking closeness to HaShem. It’s a daily practice meant to encompass everything that matters to you in life, from the profound to the mundane.
Rabbi Nachman explains that the main focus of your prayers should be on essentials—seeking HaShem’s help in growing spiritually, drawing closer to Him, and living a life of devotion. However, that doesn’t mean you should ignore the little things. You should still pray for all your physical and material needs, too. When you bring these requests into your prayers, you're not just asking for stuff; you’re involving HaShem in every aspect of your life, turning even the smallest needs into moments of connection with the Divine.
Now, Rabbi Nachman gives a pretty stark comparison. He says that if a person doesn’t pray for their needs, HaShem might still provide for them, just as He provides for all living creatures. However, if you receive everything without asking for it through prayer, it’s almost like you’re living on autopilot, like an animal that gets fed but doesn’t have any relationship with its provider. The difference is that when a person prays for their needs, it turns receiving those things into a conversation with HaShem, making the material blessings part of your spiritual life. You’re not just surviving like a beast in the field—you’re thriving in a relationship with the One who sustains you.
Rabbi Nachman himself told a story about this idea. He once had a minor need—something insignificant, really. When he mentioned it, the Rebbe told him to pray to HaShem for it. Rabbi Nachman was surprised that he was being told to pray for something so small and unimportant. Seeing his surprise, the Rebbe gently asked, “Is it beneath you to pray for even the smallest things?” This question highlights a crucial lesson: no need or concern is too small to bring before HaShem. Every prayer, no matter how seemingly trivial the request, is a way of staying connected.
This approach raises an important question: if our central spiritual goal is to draw close to HaShem, why even bother praying about mundane problems? Why involve HaShem in these small, day-to-day affairs when there are bigger spiritual matters at hand?
The answer lies in understanding the true purpose of prayer. It’s not that these small problems are necessarily important in and of themselves. Rather, prayer is important because it’s the means through which we stay connected to HaShem. When you pray for something, whether it's spiritual growth or something as mundane as a new coat, it creates a dialogue between you and HaShem. The act of asking transforms the way you receive your blessings. It’s no longer just about getting what you need, but about turning every part of your life into an opportunity to connect with HaShem.
Receiving something after praying for it is different from receiving it without prayer. When a person prays and then receives what they need, that blessing becomes part of their spiritual journey. It’s no longer just about having your material needs met; it’s about deepening your relationship with HaShem. Every answered prayer, no matter how small, is a moment of intimacy with HaShem. The prayer itself becomes the goal—because through prayer, you’re already drawing closer to HaShem, which is the ultimate purpose. Even when you pray for more spiritual things, like closeness to HaShem, the act of praying brings you closer to that goal, simply because you’re engaging with Him.
In the end, Rabbi Nachman teaches that prayer is not just a tool to get what you need. It’s the very way we build our relationship with HaShem. Whether you’re praying for big spiritual insights or just asking for help with something small, the real value is in the act of turning to HaShem in every aspect of your life. Through prayer, life becomes a dialogue with the Divine.
Prayer from what we learned :
HaShem, my Source and Sustainer, I come before You with all my needs, great and small, knowing that nothing is beyond Your care. Help me to remember that You desire me to turn to You for everything in my life—whether it's my longing to draw closer to You or the simplest need for food, clothing, or shelter. Teach me to see prayer as a way to speak with You, to involve You in all that I experience and desire, and to rely on You for everything.
Grant me the humility to ask for even the smallest things, for I know that everything I have comes from Your hand. Whether I need a solution to my struggles, or something as minor as replacing something worn out, let me never feel that any request is too trivial to bring before You. May I learn to make all of my life a conversation with You, seeing even the smallest blessings as part of my connection to You.
HaShem, please help me to approach You with sincerity in all my prayers, no matter how simple or mundane my needs may seem. May I understand that prayer itself is the goal, and through it, I come closer to You. Strengthen my devotion, draw me nearer to You, and let me never be content with receiving without asking. Let every request, every need, be an opportunity to deepen my relationship with You.
In every moment of abundance, remind me that You are the source of all that I have. Let my prayers, no matter how small, be a reminder of Your constant presence in my life and Your desire for me to turn to You for all things. May I grow in closeness to You with each word I speak, and may my heart be filled with gratitude for all that You provide.
Amen.
In my book Pick Me Up HaShem, you’ll find many prayers that explore how HaShem is constantly drawing us closer to Him, inviting us into a deeper relationship through prayer and reflection. These prayers are designed to help you connect with the divine presence in a way that transcends mere requests and taps into the true purpose of prayer.
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