[rorsvierwelia]

I don't 'pray' to any exterior source. I verbally express wishes for beings to be happy, and my intentions, that all the actions of my body, speech and mind, whether (seemingly) positive, negative or otherwise, (to somehow) be a cause for people to turn to the dhamma.

There is a Buddhist sangha I am familiar with, and they have an e-group, and people are always posting things like "pray for so and so who is going into surgery". They say that every good wish helps and makes those who do it a little bit more caring and aware of others suffering, but personally -and this is my own attachment- It reminds me of faith-healers and really puts me off.

I have always thought of affirmations as being self-affirming ideas. So, they might be good for somebody who needs a little boost in the area of self-esteem, but just as with any part of dhamma practice, you even have to not be attached to the rewards you get from it.

This brings to mind another post in which 'faith' was mentioned.