T124 PNC - Sing to Him Who Is Conquered — God Desires to Be Won by Prayer (1 seg)

The Talmud (Pesachim 119a) presents the phrase: 'Song psalm to the conductor: sing to Him who is conquered and is happy.' The paradoxical phrase 'conquered and happy' is explained: when a person speaks before God, articulating his arguments and requests — presenting his case, his needs, his claims — he is in a sense 'conquering' God in prayer. And the remarkable teaching is that God desires this — He is 'happy' to be conquered. The Holy One, Blessed Be He, loves when His children press Him with genuine prayer, with earnest argument, with the full force of their need. When a person prays with such intensity and sincerity that he, as it were, refuses to let go until God responds — this is not impertinence but the highest form of prayer. God rejoices in being 'defeated' by the prayers of His people, just as a father rejoices when his child is persistent enough to obtain what he needs.