A break from everyday life, the emergency brake in the hamster wheel, relaxation before going to sleep: prayers can be all of these things. "They come from the ascetic tradition and were an exercise in letting go," explains theologian Peter Ebenbauer. Sleep was seen as death's little brother, and waking up meant you could celebrate your own resurrection. "Of course, this attitude makes you aware of transience, but at the same time it can be a great relief. We don't have to take anything with us into the night that worries us," explains the researcher.
In addition, evening and morning prayers are good exercises to listen to your inner voice. "You enter into a dialog with the source of your existence. This can provide comfort and hope," says Ebenbauer. At the same time, this interruption to everyday life frees you from the pressure to perform and gives you the opportunity to refocus and reorient yourself. If you no longer have much to do with religion, you can also create your own rituals for going to sleep or between waking up and breakfast, the scientist recommends. "Many people today are trying to find their own rhythm again through mediation, yoga or other techniques. There are similar approaches in psychotherapy," says Ebenbauer. So praying is nothing outdated or old-fashioned.
Peter Ebenbauer is a liturgical scholar and researches the similarities between Jewish and Christian prayer rituals, among other things. On 28 and 29 October, he is organizing the symposium "Rituale - Fenster zum Sinn", where he will shed more light on religious customs.
