Have You Ever . . . You Could . . .

Have you ever . . .

·        Felt lost while praying?

·        Checked the time on your cell phone during services?

·        Gossiped or shared small talk at synagogue?

·        Brought the newspaper or a magazine with you?

·        Allowed others to engage you in conversation while standing in prayer?

·        Left shul feeling like you had not done anything?

·        Come to shul in a bad mood, or feeling stubborn?

Our experiences in tefillah shape us and create spiritual patterns that make us in their image. And we, and everything we bring with us, shapes our prayer experiences.

You could . . .

·        Let go of the lost feeling, and accept whatever level you are at as true and good.

·        Leave your cell phone at home.

·        Commit to davening and save the conversation for kiddush.

·        Open the siddur, and do your best to follow along for the entire service.

·        Be polite, but firm and let people know you have come to pray.

·        Feel good about the tefillot you experienced, and not focus on what you didn’t do.

·        Shake off the bad mood, and open your heart to God.

Be careful what you bring with you, and be careful what you do when you come to pray in synagogue or elsewhere, for these are the things that will define your tefillot. And your tefillot will define you.