When the measure of labor is complete, it is the time of prayer, but until then, believe in our sages: “I did not labor and found, do not believe.”

When the measure is full, your prayer will be complete and the Creator will grant generously, as our sages instructed us, “I labored and found, believe,” for one is unfit for a prayer prior to this, and the Creator hears a prayer (Baal HaSulam, Letter 57).

This entire world, all the upper worlds, all their degrees descending from above downward, and all our work in this world are designed to lead us to a request, a cry, a prayer, a plea to the light, to the Creator asking Him to perform our correction. Our task is only to reveal the need for this correction, and in this there will be no concessions.

The need for correction consists of several components. First one must understand precisely what is corrupted and what kind of correction is necessary. Then one must realize that they are incapable of performing this correction on their own and that only the Creator can accomplish it. However, the Creator will act only if one genuinely feels the need for this correction and demands help from Him.

Thus, this cry encompasses many elements. Only through specific work and persistent efforts, carried out according to the advice of the Kabbalists, through long, arduous, and exhausting efforts, do we come to attain this fundamental concept that underpins everything. It is called “prayer,” the first request and initial contact with the Creator.

Everything is arranged in such a way that we have no task other than to prepare ourselves for this prayer. The upper light governs all, while we, as creations, are only capable of revealing within ourselves the need for correction. Therefore, the person, the study, the group, all our actions, and the entire world that seemingly surrounds us, all of these exist to help form the correct request from creation to the Creator, a request to which the light must respond.

It is said that “the cow wants to nurse more than the calf wants to suckle.” Nonetheless, according to the order of the degrees, this desire from above cannot act until there is a preceding desire from below. Therefore it is we who activate the upper light and draw its influence toward us, so we have no room for complaints.

Do not claim that you are already crying out and praying. It is a misunderstanding to think you can pray before the prayer has been born and formed as a result of your efforts. One must internalize many concepts to develop the desire capable of awakening the light.

After all, this is not simply a prayer read from a prayer book that dictates where one should weep and where one should rejoice. We must achieve a prayer that emerges from the depths of the heart. The work within the heart is what is called true prayer.

Thus, nothing will help except to apply efforts in accordance with the advice of our teachers. In this way we will shape the correct need within ourselves through the surrounding light. With every action we awaken small illuminations that gradually construct our desire and bring it to a state where it becomes suitable for correction.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 2/12/13, Writings of Baal HaSulam, Letter 57

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