Between faith and prayer

By Paulo Coelho

‘Is there anything more important than prayer?’ a disciple asked his teacher.

The teacher told the disciple to go to a nearby tree and cut off a branch. The disciple obeyed.

‘Is the tree still alive?’ asked the teacher.

‘As alive as it was before.’

‘Then go over there and slice through its roots.’

‘If I do that, the tree will die.’

‘Prayers are the branches of a tree whose roots are called Faith,’ said the teacher. ‘Faith can exist without prayer, but prayer cannot exist without faith.’

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14 Responses to “Between faith and prayer”


  1. 1 A.V.C.

    I think that effective prayers involve receiving just as much as transmitting.

    To me, “faith” is the received knowledge that the transmitted message will be made effective.

  2. 2 A.V.C.

    To me, an effective prayer involves receiving just as much as transmitting.

    Perhaps “faith” could be thought of as the received knowledge that the transmission will be made effective.

  3. 3 Tania

    And the leaves and the fruit we bear is our soul made visible for all to see…Blessings Tania . Here is one of my mother earth healing cards - Today I stand so very tall to be love and admired by all..
    Today I stand so very tall, just like a tree I cannot fall.. Blessing Tania

  4. 4 Agnieszka

    So…true,

    “Faith can exist without prayer, but prayer cannot exist without faith.”
    Yes.

    Faith is this light we have inside, if we want to acknowledge it of course, if we accept it.
    If we desire… to see it, to feel it.
    The more we feel it, the closer we become to The Light, to God.
    We may not pray certain way, but we still may feel it with all our heart, our soul, and express it with our silent conversations, listening, …by love.

    Saying prayer without feeling it deeply is senseless, empty.
    It’s like telling someone you love him, when you’re not.

    love
    Agnieszka

  5. 5 Liara Covert

    We all carry burdens for the purpose of our own learning. The nature of our revelations depends on whether we open ourselves to the source of the light.

  6. 6 vicky

    Roots need acceptance

    Too often we try to transplant ourselves in other soil, leaving our root no chance to anchor.

    Love,
    Vicky

  7. 7 Mary (Canada)

    …beautiful analogy…I love having these little gems of knowledge handy so that I can pass them on to others.
    Thanks, Paulo…abrigado.

  8. 8 Nancy

    I agree in some way to what everyone has posted. It is great to read insightful information. Society will not crumble completely.

  9. 9 Yajna

    Dearest Paulo and friends,

    Belief is of vital importance for anything to occur.
    Doubt of any sort, poses a large threat in any situation.

    Thank you for being
    Yajna

  10. 10 Eman Shelbaia

    ” the prayers is the mind of faith”
    الصلاة مخ العبادة” El Slat Mo7′ El 3ebada”
    also that Communicating with god is through Praying asking him all the time 24/24
    and when u pray u r almost that mighty cauze u r askin no one but ALLAH , u grow strong out of communicating with ALLAH , u r not askin any ordinary one, u r soul 2 soul with GOd praing 2 him, and u r very important 2 him :)))
    luv u all

  11. 11 Annie

    today i was thinking that prayers are a form of music…they are hymns or chants, have a rythm, a melody, or if they are words they are probably surrounded by an “invisible” melody…one that our soul (faith-roots) can hear and can shake our whole existance
    love u all

  12. 12 Agnieszka

    ………
    Can YOU believe me..
    when I pray?
    Can YOU see..
    what it means to me..
    when I can..
    say the words,
    and do things
    YOU…
    make me say?
    ……

  13. 13 ANITA

    hi my name is ANITA im from iran.i realy love your books and you too.
    it was one of my wishes to speak with you .
    Im realy strange in your books.
    In all of biginnig of my books i leaved a messagen for you !!!
    you and yor books has changed my life and my atittude .
    yor one of my gods sign

  14. 14 raj

    Faith does not depend on a clever head,only belief : belief in the self and the strength that lies within.
    Faith is the seed of victory and the foundation of making impossible > possible.

    bless you

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