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Find Favor in the Eyes of God and Man (Proverbs 3)

Thoughts and Prayers from Jerusalem

Shalom from Jerusalem!

Whoever sets out to pray must focus their thoughts and hearts on heaven. Rabbi Akiva would pray quickly when paying with a congregation, to save them the discomfort of waiting for him to finish. But when he would pray alone, he would start out in one corner of the room and end up in another.

Brachot 31

It seems that the second part of this passage contradicts its first part: Should we focus on other people's comfort and feelings, as Rabbi Akiva did, or should we put blinders on?

Our sages answer this riddle in Ethics of the Fathers, chapter 3, mishna 13: "If people are happy with you, God is happy with you." If your behavior causes discomfort to others, how can you expect God to be happy with you?

Today, before praying, focus your thoughts on heaven after making sure that your social responsibilities are fulfilled.

Today's Prayer: Prayer of Redemption, Part 2: Transition
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Thoughts about Prayer from Jerusalem

Prayer is the foundation of the relationship between God and His children, and its primary vehicle. Sages of old have created a wealth of wisdom based on the Bible, giving people in all generations the opportunity to contemplate on these thoughts to help them focus in their relationships with the One Above.

Select a Thought below, or subscribe to our newsletter, Thoughts and Prayers from Jerusalem, to get them in your inbox!

God's Temple and the Patriarchs | God's Love is a Two Way Street | Set A Space For Prayer | Set A Time For Prayer | Follow God's Lead - Pray | Be A Hero - Pray Regularly | Be A Good Neighbor - Pray | God Loves Communal Prayer | Pray From Center Stage, Not From The Sidelines | Pray with Friends and Family | Pray to the Heights from the Depths | Pray For Your Friend | Pray First! | Compassion and Prayer | Parents and Prayer | Pray for an Enjoyable Livelihood | Recognize God's Blessing in Everything | Make Room for Goodness | Do Right for the Right Reasons | Pray For Light and Happiness | Overcoming Human Nature | Humility Leads The Way | Ask God for Help with Proper Speech | Prayer Without Intent Is Better Than Not Praying At All | Pray With Your All | Pray With Intent, And Your Prayer Will Carry You | Pray About Problems, And Trust In The Future | Pray for a Successful Journey | Focus on the What, the How, and Especially the Where of Prayer | Stand Up For Your [Prayer] Rights | Pray With Intent | Quantity Time Leads to Quality Prayer | Find Favor in the Eyes of God and Man (Proverbs 3) | Happiness is Serious Business | Learn from the Experts | Hear Your Own Prayer, and God Will Too | Praise The Lord and Pass The Adoration | Prayer, a Rite for all Seasons | The Holy Temple is Our Heart's Desire | If At First You Don't Succeed, Pray, Pray Again | Take Your Time, And The Answer Will Follow | Be Strong and of Good Courage (Joshua 1) | The Long And The Short Of It | Pray For Your Neighbor As Yourself | No Runs, No Hits, No Errors | What's Done Is Done | Have the Time of your Life | We Were As Dreamers (Psalms 126) | Clear Your Thoughts and Empty Your Hands | You're Going To Reap What You Pray | Focus On The Positive | Clarify Your Intent-ions | Pray From The Heart | Pray Long, Pray Hard, Pray Sure | Lead The Way in Prayer | Jerusalem and Prayer, The Dynamic Duo | Group Prayer - You'll Never Walk Alone | A Time and A Place for Everything | Tear Down the Walls and Open the Gates | Look Around You, Look and Listen | Cut To The Chase | Prayer and Good Deeds, Like a Hand in a Glove | Prayer and Torah, the Two Way Street |

If you are inspired by these thoughts, we encourage you to join like-minded people of faith worldwide as members of the Holy City Prayer Society. Join today!

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