TOPIC: What's the point of davening?

What's the point of davening? Does someone listen to you besides your wall?

Nice question! Something I really had trouble getting into... At the end of the day, putting all questions aside, I found that the more effort I'm willing to put in- the more I'm going to benefit from it.

Also, before I bring my personal opinion to answer your question, think about WHY you're asking the question. Some people have a personal agenda 'if I don't find an answer I'm looking for, that'll give me an excuse to drop the whole thing'. Obviously that's not rational. Make sure you (or anyone asking ANY questions) comes from a place of genuine and authentic searching for the truth.

Ok with that introduction over. This is why I choose to pray.

Hashem commands us to pray. Hashem wants to be in relationship with us. And He knows we need what He can give. Through prayer, we experience life-transforming, life-renewing intimacy with the Creator of the universe.

Hashem reveals Himself to us through prayer. Let me explain... We learn more and more about His character and how His perfect will is working itself out in our own life. Deepening our understanding of Hashem also deepens our faith and desire to fulfill other mitzvos.

Hashem invites us to bring our burdens and needs to Him in prayer. We have a Heavenly Father who is more than able to bring victory to any challenge we face. Hashem is a spiritual and physical healer. Like any healthy relationship, we must keep a line of communication open. Doesn't that provide you with a sense of safety, comfort and hope?

Hashem imparts wisdom and understanding through prayer. As we become increasingly aware of our limitations, we can be increasingly more secure in the knowledge that Hashem is omniscient. 'Letting go and letting G-d' is a blessing of prayer.

God exercises His authority and ability to do the impossible through the prayers of His people. As Jews, we've all heard so many stories about the power of one pray and the miracles that can follow... Our hearts pound with great confidence as we internalize this truth.

God extends His power to us through prayer so that we may resist temptation. With prayer, you always have a proven shield of protection available. Just say the word.

I'm sure there are many more ideas and suggestions that people can add- maybe after reading this you can develop you're own!!

Feel free to keep this conversation going, it's a heated/debatable topic

Actually, I asked someone recently this too.

He said:

There's a parable about a little boy. Every week for shabbos he would come give his mother "flowerrs" that he picked, for shabbos. "Just like his tatty." In reality these were weeds or little grasses he found around the neighborhood. But each week the mom (of course) would gush over how nice they are, and thank you and wtvr.

One week, the boy comes home. Throws flowers and tables and says in a really grouchy voice "Here's your flowers" As if he was forced to give them to his mom. His mom proceeded to throw them away. "If you don't want to give them to me, so don't. I don't need flowers. You need the good feelings you get when you give them to me"

HASHEM is the mom, we are the boy. Hashem doesnt need our tefillos or mitxvos. We need to do them, to lead fuffiling lives. We need to daven and make a connection so we can lead normal, proper, humanitary lives, so we know what's right and wrong.

Thank you so much. It really clarified stuff for me.