Surrendering to God: 3 steps to transcend your ego

Dear Friends,

A key part of prayer is surrendering to God, realizing that we can't do anything without His help.

Surrendering to God: 3 steps to transcend your ego

Have a great week,

Yaakov

What Happens to Our Seemingly Unanswered Prayers?

Dear Friends,

What Happens to Our Seemingly Unanswered Prayers?

Have a great week,

Yaakov

Cheshvan: Prayer

Dear Friends,

This post is about the Jewish month of Cheshvan, as it relates to The Chazak Plan: A 12 Month Journey to Spiritual Strength.

Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan begins Monday night, the 8th of October and lasts for two days.

On the 7th of Cheshvan, in Israel, prayers for rain begin. For this month, focus on enhancing your prayers. You can pick a section of the prayers to say daily with understanding and input this into your checklist. In addition or instead, you can recite daily one Psalm with understanding (longer Psalms can be read over two to three days).

(If you do not yet pray daily, open up a prayer book and see if any of the prayers resonate with you, or better yet, ask your rabbi or spiritual mentor for a suggestion; recite that prayer every day. Alternatively, read daily from the book of Psalms. There are many excellent English translations available with varied formats; choose one that works best for you.)

One type of prayer, popularized by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, is called Hitbodedut; this is where we talk out loud to God in our native language, unburdening ourselves to Him. Try this daily practice for at least a week, preferably a month. See if it helps you feel closer to God and to feeling His comfort and support.

Part of upgrading our prayers is showing reverence for the sanctuary, and not talking during the prayer service.

Even while we pray for help in specific areas of our lives, we surrender to God, acknowledging that only He knows what is truly best for us.

Questions for the month:

“Which section of the prayers will I focus on saying this month with understanding? Or, what else can I do to enhance my prayers?”

“What issues are weighing on my mind that I can informally speak to God about?”

“How can I enhance the reverence I show for the sanctuary?”

Article:

How to Unlock the Hidden Power of Prayer

Take care and may God grant us success in the coming month,

Yaakov

Taking Refuge in a Sukkah of Faith

Dear Friends,

The Festival of Sukkot begins Sunday night, the 23rd of September.

There will be no posts till after the Holidays.

Taking Refuge in a Sukkah of Faith (please click on the title to access)

Have a Chag Sameach,

Yaakov

Repairing Our Mistakes: How to Ask for Forgiveness

Dear Friends,

One of the hardest things to do is to admit we made a mistake and ask for forgiveness.

Before Yom Kippur, this Tuesday night, from whom will you ask forgiveness?

Repairing Our Mistakes: How to Ask for Forgiveness

Have a gmar chatima tova,

Yaakov

You: As God Intended

Dear Friends,

Rosh Hashanah begins this Sunday night, September 9th.

Here is an article for Rosh Hashanah

You: As God Intended

Have a Shana Tova,

Yaakov

Debunking 5 Myths about Repentance

Dear Friends,

There are a number of misconceptions about repentance. Here are 5.

Debunking 5 Myths about Repentance

Have a great week,

Yaakov