When writing about the importance of prayer, the following words can be instructive:
“Even people who do not think of themselves as religious, find to their amazement that when faced with death [or other calamity], whether their own or that of another, they suddenly not only want to call on some higher power, but actually start to do so, even without understanding what they mean by it. They might even start praying to go to a better place or another world where they will find help and guidance. …
I don’t find it surprising that this kind of thing happens. In life we tend to think we can rely on our intellect and somehow keep control of our lives and our emotions. In the face of death [or a sudden devastating setback], we suddenly feel the rug pulled out from beneath us. The rigid logic of our intellect is no use to us in this situation, and our usual ways of keeping control fall apart. We are torn apart, worse than naked, hanging there in shock and confusion, with nowhere to turn. This is when the intuitive sense that we are not alone kicks in, and we may find ourselves linking into an intuitive sense that there is more to life than we thought and we are going to have to rely on some other power, not just ourselves.”
(Source: Hookham, Lama Shenpen. There’s More to Dying than Death. Cambridge, UK: Windhorse Publications, 2012)
To realize that we need to rely on another power – not just ourselves – can apply equally when we have suffered a traumatic loss due to having been unwittingly taken advantage of in a devious and mean scam. In the broader context of life, we can never solve all our problems by ourselves alone (while of course, we have a responsibility do our part as well.)
We can remind ourselves of and remember the availability of help from Beyond – indeed, we are not alone. In reality, the universe is teeming with many worlds and different kinds of beings.
In summary, we should never forget the reality and importance of Other-Power, and therefore the meaningfulness of the power of prayer. This entails continuing to be mindful and aware, and not slipping into the trap of self-reliance and independence.
Alexander and Eva Peck