The Power Of Preparing Before We Daven
We all want our tefilos to be more meaningful. We want to feel that we are truly speaking to Hashem, rather than simply reciting familiar words. Yet how often do we arrive in shul, open our siddur, and begin davening almost immediately, without giving ourselves even a moment to consider what we are about to do?
Perhaps one of the simplest and most effective ways to dramatically elevate our tefilos is to arrive just two or three minutes early and use that time to prepare our hearts.
We prepare for important meetings, conversations, and occasions. We think about whom we will be meeting and what we want to say. Yet when we approach the greatest privilege imaginable—a personal conversation with the Ribbono Shel Olam—we sometimes begin with little or no preparation.
The difference that even a few moments of thoughtful preparation can make is enormous.
Preparing The Heart
The pasuk states: “Tachin libam, takshiv oznecha - Prepare their hearts; Your ear will listen.” (Tehillim 10:17)
This teaches us a fundamental principle of tefilah: Before our words leave our mouths, we must first prepare our hearts.
Our goal is not merely to say the words of tefilah, but to have those words emerge from within us—to express what we genuinely feel and recognize.
One practical way to accomplish this is to think, before beginning, about the specific concerns and challenges currently weighing on our hearts. What is troubling us? What do we desperately need Hashem’s help with? What difficulties are we facing, or what hopes do we long to see fulfilled? By bringing these matters to mind beforehand, we can approach tefilah ready to sincerely plead with Hashem for His help, allowing the words of our tefilah to express what is truly in our hearts.
A person who begins davening without preparation may spend much of his tefilah struggling to become focused. But someone who has already prepared his heart can begin on an entirely different level.
Recognizing Before Whom We Stand
The Mesilas Yesharim teaches that a person should firmly establish in his heart that he is actually coming before Hashem, speaking and conversing with Him, and that Hashem Himself is listening attentively to every word.
Consider what this means.
When we stand before Hashem in Shemoneh Esrei, we are not simply reading a sacred text. We are actually speaking to the Creator of the universe, Who is listening to us.
If we could internalize this reality for even a few moments before beginning, how different might our Shemoneh Esrei become?
Our words would carry greater meaning. Our requests would become more personal. Our gratitude would become more heartfelt.
Instead of struggling to remind ourselves throughout davening that we are speaking to Hashem, we would begin with that awareness already firmly in place.
An Extraordinary Opportunity
There is another thought worth contemplating before we daven: “I now have the opportunity to pour out all my thoughts, concerns, and everything weighing upon my heart before my compassionate Father, Who is full of mercy.”
Think of the significance of those words.
Each of us carries concerns, challenges, hopes, and worries. Some are matters we share with others, while others remain deep within our hearts.
Yet every time we stand before Hashem, we have the opportunity to bring all of them before Him.
The Chazon Ish expresses this beautifully: “How wondrous it is that a person has the ability to share his worries with the Master of the Universe, blessed be He, just as he shares them with a friend.”
What an extraordinary privilege!
We have the opportunity to speak directly to the One Who knows us completely, loves us, possesses unlimited compassion, and has the power to help us with everything we need.
Simply reflecting on this reality can transform tefilah from an obligation we must fulfill into an opportunity we eagerly embrace.
A Practical Two-Minute Preparation
Imagine arriving in shul just two or three minutes earlier than usual. Before opening the siddur and beginning to daven, take a brief moment to reflect on three thoughts:
- Prepare My Heart.
I do not want merely to recite words. I want the words of my tefilah to come from my heart. I will think about the specific matters weighing on my heart for which I want to plead with Hashem.
- Recognize Before Whom I Stand.
I am about to speak directly to Hashem. He is listening to every word I say.
- Appreciate This Incredible Opportunity.
I can share everything on my mind and heart with my compassionate Father, Who cares about me and has the power to help me.
These thoughts need not take more than a minute or two. The important thing is not how long we spend, but that we genuinely reflect on what we are about to do.
A Small Investment With Enormous Returns
We sometimes look for major changes that will improve our davening—new approaches, deeper explanations, or additional learning. All of these can certainly help.
But perhaps we overlook one of the easiest and most powerful opportunities available to us: simply preparing ourselves before we begin.
Two minutes may seem insignificant. Yet those two minutes can influence the quality of the next twenty or thirty minutes of tefilah.
And when repeated day after day, this small practice can gradually change our entire relationship with davening.
We may find ourselves looking forward to Shemoneh Esrei rather than rushing through it. We may begin to feel a greater connection to Hashem, a deeper appreciation of the words, and a more personal sense that our tefilos are truly being heard.
The challenge is simple: For the next week, make it a point to arrive at davening just two minutes earlier. Use those moments to prepare your heart, recognize before Whom you stand, and appreciate the extraordinary privilege of speaking to Hashem.
It is a very small investment of time.
But it has the potential to elevate not only our tefilos, but our entire relationship with the Ribbono Shel Olam.
Questions and comments can be directed to Eliezer Szrolovits at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..