My secret fear

I live in perpetual fear that someday, at some time, a seeker of truth will come up to me and ask me, "what's the true purpose of prayers and ritual? If faith and intention are the most important things, what's the purpose of differences in physical practice?"

It's a tricky question. The essence of the question is asking what is the true purpose of physical expression, or does physical expression have a true purpose when dealing with mindful intention?

Prayer acts as a bridge between the physical and the esoteric. It plays a vital role in bringing our spiritual selves into our lives, yet we always talk about the intention behind the prayer being the most powerful and most important part... but what about the physical?

I mean, when I hear someone reciting their prayers and I hear obvious mistakes, I often take it upon myself to correct those mistakes, because in this way I help that person... right?

but, if the intention is the most important part of the prayer... then why correct it? Why worry about the physical manifestation? Why does it matter if a person does not raise their hands when asking God for something? Why does it matter if an individual recite their prayers correctly?

Obviously, it doesn't matter THAT much... obviously the intention is the most important part of it... but does that mean that the physical aspects are unimportant? Does that mean that we should allow mistakes to creep into our practices... In fact, why even cling to the practices of the past? We are praying by intention now! In fact, why even differentiate religions? As long as we agree on basics, let's just lump everyone together!!!

There are some problems with this train of thought... Prayers and their physical expressions are important towards not only expressing the spiritual, but also to establishing a spiritual identity. This does not mean that any particular identity is superior to another, far from it, but the essence of the physical action works towards creating a sense of self within a religious whole. When I pray to God, I do so surrounded by others in a chorus, a litany. Be it silent or loud. That sense of community is a part of being closer to God, because through this community God's presence is felt in our daily lives. The physical actions that accompany any prayer are essential and cannot be ignored, they are important. How we say our prayers, how we hold our hands... Although these things should never be a source of conflict amongst people, nonetheless, they hold weight in our collective consciousness, and so they should. Whether we greet each other in a unique manner, or commune with God in differing ways, "prayers" and rituals in this manner serve a greater purpose. They let you be you, while belonging...

Maybe that's what I'll say when my greatest fear is realized?