66. The Rebbe constantly spoke to us about praying with devotion, telling us to put all our energy into the words of our prayers.[1]
Many times he told us to force ourselves to pray. There are some who say that prayer must come of itself, without being strained. The Rebbe said that they are wrong, and one must do everything in his power to force oneself.
When a person prays with concentration, binding thought to word, bending his ear to hear what he says, then his strength automatically enters his words.
All your energy anticipates the time when it will be drawn into words of holiness. When you focus your mind on the prayers, this strength rushes to enter the words.
By concentrating on the words, this strength will enter your prayers without your forcing it.
[1] See “His Wisdom” #74, #75, #121, #293; Likutey Moharan I, 48; ibid., II, 84.