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Summary of Question:	Karma And God's Grace
Category:	Sikh Practices
Date Posted:	Wednesday, 7/23/2003 5:23 PM MDT

Sat Nam...

I've just read an earlier post "Gur Prashad" and it has brought up some questions.

I get the impression as I study that one must submit to God's will and He reveals Himself by His grace. Now I ask you, does this mean we cannot pray for a certain outcome to a matter? For example, a friend asks I pray for a person who has cancer. It's clearly God's design she should have cancer. So am I talking to the air when I pray for her and the doctors who treat her, that they should take care of her well? And for that matter, if the chips fall for me, is it going against God to fight like crazy to get back up on my feet? I don't want to shake my fist at my Divine Creator and say the heck with you, I'll do it my way. Could someone please explain this matter, because it's been a point of confusion for a long time.

And by the way, thanks for putting up with all those posts of mine! Y'all are patient and explain things right to the point, and I'm thankful for you.

Elizabeth

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Sat Siri Akaal, Elizabeth. It is indeed God's grace that things happen 'favorably'. God has given us free will. If you really want something for yourself and are praying for it, you will probably get it; if you don't it is for a good reason that usually shows itself at some point. But do be careful what you pray for! You just may get it! There are pros and cons to all we ask for; when we get answers to our prayers we often set ourselves up for additional lessons. This happens. Understand that prayer will mitigate a karma that one is destined to experience (e.g., the difference between losing a leg and a broken leg). Free will lets us accord with God's plan for us, or not. Prayer and meditation, practiced regularly, align our lives with God's plan for us, so that all our affairs are indeed, 'arranged' as Guruji says so often in SGGS. As we develop our meditative mind, we 'know' what is or is not right for us (and sometimes for others) and then we 'know' how to pray to best serve ourselves and the situation.

I have found that when praying for others, it is OK to pray for their overall safety and security, but the best prayer for others is one that serves their soul. In such cases, pray for the highest good for that person/situation to result, and leave the rest up to God.

There is a lot out there (on the web) about conscious prayer. I really recommend you do a little research. Hope this helps. Guru ang sang,
-DKK