Praying with Intent

Dear Rabbi Lazer,

What can one do to maintain intent while praying? It is not mundane matters that enter my mind, but all the troubling thoughts of what the many threats that face us at the moment. I try to concentrate on with the prayer book, but at the same time, I hear my mind asking all these other questions of Hashem for help with all my personal challenges and with Israel's challenges in general. I also have this trauma because our apartment was badly damaged during one of the rocket attacks from Gaza. I struggle to stay focused on the words before me, yet cry because all these other emotions are running through me at the same time. What do I do? Thanks for your availability and your help, with best wishes for the New year 5772, Tanya from Beersheva

Dear Tanya,

I know it sounds like my personal mantra, but the only solution is emuna. The more we strengthen our emuna, the more we realize that we are standing before Hashem and that He is personally listening to everything we say. The more we feel that we are standing before Hashem and that He is personally listening to everything we say, the better our intent during prayer. We should always remember that Hashem does everything for the very best, whether or not we understand how or why. This will take the worry off your mind. Don't forget that emuna needs constant reinforcement - that's what we tell ourselves here in Ashdod, too. Emuna is our major test in the generation of Moshiach. Blessings for a Ktiva V'chatima Tova and a Happy New Year, LB