Spirituality becomes a transformative power when each thought, feeling, and word is a conscious act.
Awareness reveals our true intention in any situation, including when we pray.
Intention can be understood as a plan, an objective, or a conscious will to carry out a specific action.
In the spiritual and emotional context—especially when we ask the Divine for something on behalf of someone else, such as in prayer, which is an energy set into motion and depends, of course, on the intention with which we offer it—intention can reflect various aspects of our being and inner world.
The reflection that follows addresses the inner conflicts that arise during these moments, the relationship between intention and feelings of guilt, and the importance of discernment in transforming our requests into acts of care and compassion.
Intention as a conscious movement
Intention can be understood as a plan, goal, or conscious willingness to perform a specific action. It may be personal, belonging to a particular subject or situation; specific, aimed at a particular result or action; and conscious, when the individual knows what they want and the direction they are choosing.
In this sense, intention is more than a fleeting desire: it is an inner movement that carries responsibility and direction. When we ask something of the Divine for another person—whether through prayer or a thought uplifted—the quiet doubt may surface:
Are we truly concerned about that person’s well-being, or are we, in some way, trying to ease our own suffering in response to what they’re going through?
This question becomes even more sensitive when we consider someone living in great vulnerability—such as an older person, someone with dementia, someone dependent on care, living in a nursing home, or someone with a disability.
In these cases, a spiritual request can convey both our love for the other person and the complex emotions we experience when confronted with someone else’s vulnerability.
In a conversation with a spiritual counselor, I received the following advice:
A request of this kind should not be viewed as an opposition between ‘me’ and ‘the other.’
It is a two-way process: we make a request for the other person’s well-being, and in return, we receive grace, comfort, and inner transformation.
This dual nature is not a sign of selfishness.
It is a natural part of the human spiritual and emotional experience.
However, many people feel guilty when making such requests, influenced by cultural, religious, or moral beliefs that reinforce internal judgments and make it hard to accept their own emotions.
Intention and discernment: a path toward benevolent action
Building awareness and discernment results from ongoing inner work that encourages us to challenge rigid beliefs, acknowledge our feelings, and better understand what influences our intentions.
As we progress in this journey, asking questions is no longer a burden or a source of guilt.
It becomes a benevolent intention, oriented toward care, respect, and the well-being of the other.
One way to make our requests softer and more caring is to reframe how we express our prayers and words.
Some options include, for example:
“May she feel serenity and comfort at this moment”- “May her days be light and peaceful”
- “I wish her to be surrounded by peace and affection.”
- “May her heart find rest and gentleness”
- “May she be embraced with tenderness and calm.”
- “May she receive all the care necessary to live with dignity and without suffering.”
- “May we be able to ensure her comfort, respect, and well-being.”
- “I wish her to be accompanied by attention, humanity, and compassion.”
- “May her days be marked by ethical care that is sensitive to her needs.”
- “May she have a safe and welcoming environment that honors her fragility and her story.”
- “I wish her to live this moment with dignity, tranquility, and affection.”
By reframing our requests in this manner, we find emotional relief.
The feeling of guilt dissolves, and the gesture becomes gentler, more caring, and truly focused on the other person.
The act of asking is no longer about getting something for ourselves but turns into a genuine expression of compassion, respect, and love.
In this way, the act becomes an opportunity for inner unfolding—light, free, and more humane—truly directed toward and for the other, while also capable of transforming the person who asks.
