The Distinctive Power Behind Prayer and Incantation

I believe in the power of prayer. It was revealed to me many years ago that prayer was one of life’s biggest secrets.

When I began my work after becoming awakened and going through that terrible initiation, I was praying for people. People who had heard that I had gone through something kept calling as “well wishers” (really, they were just calling to see if the rumors were true), but to them I would respond in deep fervent prayer and revelations.

Those times, after passing through that spiritual initiation, I was like a person who was groggy from sleep. I was fresh from my spiritual initiation, so even though I felt renewed, I was also tired and overwhelmed as though the burden of the world was on my shoulder.

The prayers that I prayed for people was so powerful that it brought me through the telephone and I would see myself sit beside the person, and I would see their whole life, and I would describe to them all that they wore, the settings of their house, and even what they ate that day.

Through praying for people my name began to spread and I became known for things I would say.

I was not surprised to see that this was the avenue the Spirit took me to as the battlefield– prayer–, because all my life, prayer was my strength and shield when I went through distressful times. One such time, on two occasions, was on the birthing table while I was giving birth. During those times, I was under heavy spiritual attack from the baby father’s mistress who did not want me to give birth. I was getting C-Section but because I was aware of the attack, I did not want to go fully under anesthesia.

Not knowing if this was possible, I asked the anesthesiologist if there was a way that he could not put me fully under but have me wake intermittently during the procedure. He told me yes. Starting from 90, by the time I got to the count of 98, I was knocked out.

And then I woke up in the middle of the operation– praying Psalms from the Christian Bible (at the time I was practicing Christianity).

“God, bless the surgeons hands. Bless their family. Bless the eyes that they use to see. Bless their hearts, and give them the intention to deliver this baby whole…”

Then I would knock out.

And wake up again.

“…Bless the anesthesiologist. Give him the knowledge to administer the prodcedure well. Bless his family. Bless his wife and children. His parents and family…”

Then I would knock out again.

And wake up again.

“…Bless the nurses who are attending to me. Cover all of us problems. Cover the hospital from problems. From all disaster. Allow this procedure to be completed well and that my child shall enter the world safely–“

And I was out again.

At some point, my baby came out screaming as if she knew that it was a fight for her to come into the world. For what the doctors did not see, was that there was an army of malevolent forces in and surrounding the hospital stationed to attack not only my enemy, but also my innocent child that was to be lifted from my womb. I had to use prayer to cover everyone– and it did.

In the end, the anesthesiologist, the doctors and nurses all came to me perplexed. The anesthesiologist told me that he would mark “No charge” on my hospital bill because he had never seen anyone pray for him like that for while under operation. I don’t remember much of the prayers, but whatever it was that I did say, seemed to affect everyone.

Throughout my life, prayer has always been a defense for me. A savior in times of need. When I got to Nigeria, and sat before the Babalawos (Priests of Ifa), I noticed that everything they did, an incantation in Yoruba was sung. From morning honors, to divination, to ritualistic sacrifice, to drinking ordinary water, an incantation was always repeated.

Now the word “incantation” is in fact prayer. In fact, the word comes from the Latin word “in-cantatio” which literally meant “to sing” (in a dazzling way). However, prayers, especially those that one needs to resonate throughout the Cosmological world is supposed to be prayed in a musical or hypnotic way. Observe the use of melodious octave in this Babalawo’s morning prayer and honorific salutation:

It is not by happenstance that the morning prayer is chanted this way.

And then this example below. This was how we prayed in the Spiritual churches when I attended. The words are poetic, and they flow, almost like poetry. In this particular prayer, notice that there were words of supplication, humility, the precursor to the actual prayer, eulogizing God, so that the door can be opened ajar so the prayer may enter and be considered.

(Please don’t laugh at my scratchy voice, singing is not my talent, this is just for demonstration but I am sure I do not sound like a cat being choked :D)

I no longer pray this way, however. Nowadays, my prayers are affirmative. I no longer plead, beg, or ask. My prayers are always said in the present. And when I pray this way, they’re not just mere words, they’re my core belief, and they are repetitive so they become a mantra.

Hinduism and Buddhism are religious practices that I strongly admire. Theirs is a knowledge that is deep and extremely wise. Their understanding of the Cosmological world is great, and so they, too, like the Africans, use repetitious words to bring into Being things that they deeply wish or desire, such as the use of mantras.

The Hindu prayers are often mindful of Universal Laws and seek to follow Order, and the approach is usually first by denying the ego, like saying “I have no Self” in a way to acknowledge God as the All and to surrender the ego. And the prayers are often in combination with offerings which are “pleasing” to Spirit. These types of prayers speaks to me because of my empathic nature.

When I was a little girl, everything used to break my enemy’s heart. Whenever I would see the suffering of other people, I would hide behind my mother’s legs, suck my thumb, and cry. In Jamaica on Sunday’s they would play Desidarata on the radio and it was sad for me, because something within my young spirit, knew that the world was broken, and I did not know how to fix it.

Now, I have found a way to pray so it can impact the world, below you will see it.

In your comment, if you do comment, you can drop your own prayer if you want to show other people how you pray.

For my own prayer for you and the world is this:

“The world is a great place. Mankind are advanced and precious to the Earth. Therefore, we have the ability to move past things that are not for us. We honor that which is God. We honor that which is outside of ourselves, but protects, guides and teaches us as we walk along life’s way. We accept great health as is given to us by God. We accept great prosperity as which is given to us by God. We radiate Love, Kindness, and Compassion to all and sundry all over the world. And for our future generation, we radiate the energy of peace so that mankind can find his purpose.

So shall it be.”

If you have ever learned anything from me on this blog, this post that I have written about prayer is one that I pray resonates deeply with you.

Be a walking prayer! Let your daily speech be affirmative and positive. Speak as though you possess the things you desire, and believe with firm conviction that you do, or that it shall be yours, for even the slightest doubt can bar the way.

Make it a habit to pray a small prayer upon your first morning’s breath. You can choose to say,

“Thank you that my spirit has chosen to come back to this body to live another day, and to continue my mission here. Allow me to enjoy this day, that my presence in other people’s life will be joyful and not a hindrance. May anything I face, I shall overcome. So shall it be.”

Within the Earth, we have divided the day into 24 hours, though time is a manmade construct. During this time, there are many many spirits that are in our environment like grand central station, or a bus terminal.

People who lack consistency or sincerity of intention risk their prayers being canceled by the passing beings of a day’s hour. There is a large gap between humankind and Source, and in that huge space is a void where a chaos of varying beings dwell. Imagine your prayer weaving through this void, it may not reach, as well as it may, but that depends on how aligned the heart is with the tongue.

So do not pray for world peace if your heart’s desire is war. Humans must work to close this gap through repetition and sincerity if one wishes his prayer to connect to the distant outer world, so as to become true in his material world.

But no matter what you believe in, know that the Invisible Force to which we assign many a name, hears you.

For all who constantly read this blog, and for those who do comment, I appreciate you. I love you. And my spirit knows you.

Please continue to walk good.

Obara Meji

PS: However… there will come a point where some people find themselves not praying any longer. Can you guess why?