Søren Kierkegaard offers a profound psychological and spiritual insight into the purpose of prayer. The common perception is that prayer is a request line to a higher power to change external circumstances.

Kierkegaard suggests its true power is internal. The act of praying—of articulating our deepest hopes, fears, and gratitude—forces self-reflection and clarifies our values. This process aligns our own spirit, shifts our perspective, and opens our heart. We are the ones transformed by the practice. The world may or may not change, but we emerge different—more peaceful, more accepting, more courageous—and thus better equipped to face our reality.

This quote redefines prayer as a tool for personal transformation and alignment of intention, rather than a mechanism for controlling outcomes.