Power of Prayer in Healing: My Journey

Losing My Faith: The Darkest Days Before Recovery

I grew up in a deeply religious Hindu family where prayer wasn’t just a ritual—it was a way of life. My mother observed fasts every month, my family celebrated every festival with devotion, and bowing before a temple was second nature to me.

But as addiction took over my life, prayer became a distant memory. My mind, once filled with faith and devotion, was now consumed by alcohol and despair. Even when I stepped into a temple, I would walk out without folding my hands in prayer.

One day, while I was drunk, my mother saw me passing by a temple. She called out,

“At least bow your head, beta.”

I didn’t stop. I didn’t even acknowledge her words. I had planned my end and was sure that no God could save me from that.

At that moment, I had lost more than my faith—I had lost myself.

Rehab and Routine: Rediscovering Prayer

When I entered rehab, I expected medication, therapy, and strict rules. What I didn’t expect was prayer.

Every morning, the staff asked us to stand together, close our eyes, and pray. It didn’t matter which God we believed in—what mattered was surrendering to something greater than ourselves.

Many prayed with complete attention, their faces reflecting a deep connection—as if they were thanking someone for pulling them out of addiction. At first, I thought it was just a show-off routine by the administration to make it seem like they were changing their clients.

One morning, an older man in rehab noticed my lack of interest. He smiled and said,

“You don’t have to feel anything right away. Just keep showing up.”

That sentence stayed with me.

It reminded me of something I learned in my recovery journey—just like healing takes time, so does faith. You don’t always feel the change immediately, but the process works if you stay consistent. I shared my complete rehab journey in this blog on how rehab was more than just sobriety.

Turning to Maa Durga: Finding Strength in Faith

When I came out of rehab, my wife and mother encouraged me to continue praying. They knew how much faith had once meant to me and wanted me to rebuild that connection.

Since childhood, I have treated Maa Durga as my mother. Prayer for me was never just about rituals—I would simply talk to her, share my problems, and feel heard. But as alcohol took over my mornings with hangovers, I completely stopped.

To me, She is the Ultimate Power of this Universe. Every form of power, strength, and energy is nothing but her different manifestations. She is Invincible, The Most Powerful, The Source of Enthusiasm and Strength.

Navratri: Reconnecting with Faith in a New Way

Navratri came just three months after I left rehab. It is a nine-day-long festival dedicated to Maa Durga, and in previous years, I had observed fasting during Navratri a few times in my life. However, it is a tough thing to do.

I was focused on rebuilding my body through gym and yoga, and I feared that fasting might weaken me physically. So instead of fasting, I committed to praying every day with full devotion.

It is a tradition in many Hindu families for some members to fast during Navratri. My mother fasted for all nine days, while my wife and sister observed fasts on the first and eighth day. The eighth day, Durga Ashtami, is the most important day, and many people observe fasting on this day.

On the ninth day, we worshipped nine young girls, offering them prasad—a traditional offering of freshly prepared, delicious vegetarian food—and requesting them to eat it as a symbolic blessing. We believe these young girls represent the nine divine forms of Maa Durga—pure, powerful, and sacred.

As I bowed before them, I felt something shift inside me.

Faith isn’t just about rituals—it’s about connection. And that connection was slowly coming back.

The Subtle Yet Powerful Effect of Prayer

For the first two months after rehab, no one came to my home asking for the money I owed them. Many people had visited my house during my absence and learned about my treatment. Perhaps they assumed I was still in rehab.

But even though no one showed up, the fear never left me. I constantly worried about the moment someone would come knocking at my door.

Then, it finally happened.

One afternoon, a friend I owed money to arrived. My heart raced, but I didn’t panic. I didn’t ask my wife or anyone else to handle it for me. I went downstairs myself.

As I walked toward him, I still didn’t know what I would say. I ran through multiple scenarios in my mind but found no perfect answer.

“Bhai, how have you been?” I asked, keeping my voice steady.

Then, without thinking much, I told him everything—the complete truth. I didn’t make fake promises. I told him, “I can’t pay you right now, and even when I do, it won’t be all at once. But I will pay you.”

For the first time, I faced a problem instead of running from it.

Prayer didn’t magically erase my problems—but it gave me the strength to face them.

Faith and Healing: How Prayer Restored My Hope

As days turned into months, I realized that prayer was more than a ritual—it was a foundation for my healing.

For the first time in years, I started thinking differently.

✅ I became hopeful—an optimist.
✅ I started looking for ways to fix my life instead of dwelling on the damage.
✅ I took action.

I started planning my YouTube channel—a place where I could share my fitness transformation journey.

I started writing my story—the very blog you are reading right now.

These thoughts would never have come to me before. I was too lost in guilt, fear, and self-destruction.

But prayer changed something in my subconscious. It replaced despair with hope.

Looking Ahead: Why Prayer is a Lifelong Habit

Prayer is like exercise for the soul. Just as we don’t stop working out once we get fit, we shouldn’t stop praying once life starts improving.

Now, every morning, I wake up, take a bath, and pray to Maa Durga—not because I have to, but because I want to. Just like prayer strengthened my mind, fitness and yoga transformed my body and confidence, helping me stay committed to recovery.

I don’t ask for miracles. I don’t ask for life to be easy.

I ask for strength.

Final Thought:

If you feel lost, just start. Whether it’s prayer, self-improvement, or healing—even if you don’t feel the effects right away, keep going.

Because one day, without realizing it, you’ll find yourself stronger, more hopeful, and ready to face anything.

Next Blog Teaser:

In my next blog, I will share how gym, yoga, and prayer together transformed my confidence, proving that true strength is built in both the body and the mind.