How can we make our prayers really effective?

How can we make our prayers really effective?

The most important thing when we sit down to pray is the depth of our determination. Begin with a strong determination — this is what opens up our lives.

If you sit down in front of the Gohonzon without a determination, your prayer may tend to slip into mere formality. As a result, when chanting your life may fail to completely fuse with the Gohonzon, relying on the strategy of your lesser self instead. But w...hen you make a profound determination and pray, you can truly tap into the limitless power of your life.

Next, it is vital to take action. The wisdom and courage that emerge with your strong prayer enables you to take the best action toward achieving your goals. Never give up. If you stop making efforts toward achieving your goals, you will never see them realized. As long as you keep your determination strong, you can always change poison into medicine and never fail to show actual proof. This requires the perseverance that comes from a seeking mind. By continuing to seek the truth of Nichiren Buddhism through faith, practice and study, we assure ourselves steady progress in the fulfillment of our goals.

I also hope you will have big dreams and really use the practice to propel you toward their accomplishment. The purpose of Nichiren Buddhism is to lead rich and fulfilling lives. When we make kosen-rufu our fundamental purpose in life, we naturally attune ourselves with the Mystic Law inherent in the universe. In this way all of our efforts, whether at home, in school or on the job, come to shine with increasing brilliance and meaning.

Remember, too, that if our dreams were easily accomplished, without strenuous efforts and growth on our part, there would be no real benefit as a human being. In that case we would become shallow and weak individuals, unable to understand the sufferings of others or to contribute to their happiness. It is by burning the firewood of earthly desires through praying earnestly to the Gohonzon and taking action for the happiness of others within our district that a tremendous fire of enlightened wisdom wells forth in our lives.

Source: DISTRICT LEADERS Q-AND-A WITH SGI-USA GENERAL DIRECTOR DANNY NAGASHIMA- APRIL 5, 2002 - WORLD TRIBUNE 11