“A prayer of the poor man when he is wrapped in entreaty, and pours forth his supplications before Hashem: Hashem, hear my prayer, and let my cry reach You!” (Tehillim 102:1-2)
Rashi explains that the poor man refers to Am Yisrael, an impoverished nation.
The Malbim asserts that prayer is the outpouring of the soul before Hashem on behalf of the public, while supplication is when a person cries out for his personal salvation.
Rabbi Chama b’Rabbi Chanina says (Berachot 32b) that if a person finds that his prayers were not answered, he should continue to pray, as the pasuk in Tehillim (27:14) states, “Hope to Hashem; strengthen yourself and He will fortify your heart, and hope to Hashem”.
The Gemara (Berachot 33a) relates the following account: A pious man was praying on the road when he was met by the governor. The governor greeted him, but he did not return the greeting. The governor waited until the man ended his prayer. Then he told him, “Does it not say in your Torah, ‘Only beware for yourself and greatly beware for your soul,’ and, ‘But you shall greatly beware for your souls’? When I greeted you, why didn’t you return my greeting? If I were to cut off your head, who would avenge your blood?”
“Please allow me to explain myself,” the devout man replied. He then asked the governor, “If you were standing before a human king and your friend were to pass by and greet you, would you return the greeting?”
“Of course not.”
“And if you did return the greeting, what would happen to you?”
“My head would be cut off with a sword,” was the governor’s immediate reply.
“If that were the case regarding a king of flesh and blood, who is here today and gone tomorrow, how much more trepidation should I feel toward the King of kings, Hakadosh Baruch Hu, Who lives forever!”
The governor was appeased and sent the pious man on his way with blessings of peace.
You must know that prayer is the expression of the soul’s yearning for Hashem and its submission to Him, as it exalts Him and glorifies His Name, casting its burden upon Him (Chovot Halevavot, Cheshbon Hanefesh III, 9).
In order for a person to receive sustenance from G-d, he must first motivate himself in G-d’s direction and turn to Him to request his needs (Derech Hashem IV, 5).
The Maharal expounds (Netiv Ha’avodah 2): There are those who ask the following: If a person finds that Hashem gives him the thing that he requests, why is it necessary for him to pray for it? And if he does not deserve that thing, will he get it merely because he prayed for it? Moreover, why is it necessary to pray with words? Hashem knows man’s thoughts. Why isn’t it enough to merely think of one’s needs?
The purpose of prayer is to perfect a person in the area in which he is deficient. Consequently, Hashem accepts his prayers and fulfills his request. Man’s power of speech is what qualifies him to be called “Man.” When a person refrains from praying for his needs, he is not a fitting vessel, for everyone seeks that which he is lacking.
