Subject: [Masjid Tucson] Submission weekly reminder

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Peace be upon you,

[Quran 26:83] "My Lord, grant me wisdom, and include me with the righteous.
 [26:84] "Let the example I set for the future generations be a good one.
 [26:85] "Make me one of the inheritors of the blissful Paradise.

[Quran 14:35] Recall that Abraham said, "My Lord, make this a peaceful land, and protect me and my children from worshiping idols.
[14:40] "My Lord, make me one who consistently observes the Contact Prayers (Salat), and also my children. Our Lord, please answer my prayers.


What should we pray for? God tells us in 40:60 that we can pray for anything. And the footnote tells us that imploring God for anything is a form of worship: "Supplication, imploring God for anything, even material luxuries, is a form of worship. Hence the commandment to implore God whenever we have any need. An atheist will never implore God for anything."

But look at the examples from Abraham in the verses above. He didn't pray for a new robe or a faster camel (as far as we know!). He asked for wisdom, to be included with the righteous, to set a good example, to enter Paradise, for protection and to consistently observe his prayers. What wonderful things for all of us to aspire to. Our Contact Prayers are a great gift from God. They don't take much time, but they provide huge benefits. They focus our attention on God, away from the distractions of this world. And we know that the remembrance of God is the most important objective (Quran 29:45).

May God help us in our prayers to be more mindful and appreciative.


References
Religious Duties: A Gift From God, https://www.masjidtucson.org/quran/appendices/appendix15.html
Abraham's Prayers, https://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/sp/2018/jan/page3.html

Peace.