Steps to be followed for effective Prayer(Iwure)

The lay man meaning of Prayer known as Iwure in the Yoruba is the act or process of communicating with one’s God for wish/es to come through. Prayer has some steps to be followed because it should be well organized for it to be effective. It needs proper organization to have proper transformation from the source through the channel to the destination.

 The following steps according to Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode in his book, IWURE ( EFFACIOUS PRAYER TO OLODUMARE, THE SUPREME BEING)  are to be followed when making Iwure.

1:REVERENCE: The first step is reverence; we must pay homage to whom homage is due. The first set to give reverence to are the invisible forces. Those are the ones ranging from Imole ( both irunmole, igbamole ojukotun and igbamole ojukosi) and the orisa to the ancestors, the importance of this is for them to help us correct the abnormality in case there is any error as human being are fallible.

2:INVOCATION: second step is invocation; you call upon the messenger that wants to pray through. We can call upon or invoke any orisa in place whether there is the messenger’s symbol or paraphernalia at the place or not. It is the condition that warrants the prayer or the environment we are that particular time that determines that.

3:LIBATION: Importantly, when we are before any Orisa or where there is Orisa symbol, we will pour water on the ground or the symbol according to Ifa word in one of the odus plus whenever we want to pray in a place where there is no any Orisa symbol, we can pour the water or wine on the ground if the environment permit. Little particle of food can also be dropped.

4:ORIKI(EULOGY):  Oriki are words and phrase that make people feel happy and strong about themselves. We can sing the irunmole praise if we know some because, singing a divinity’s  praise makes the divinity to be willing to listen.

5: IFA verses for chosen Orisa: While praying, it is useful yo quote at least, a verse of IFA that is related to the Orisa concerned after the eulogy I.e if you are praying to IFA, you must cite a verse related to IFA, if it is Esu, you will also cite verse related to Esu.

6: Thanksgiving:  whenever one is given something, by shoeeing gtatitude, or the giver will not have the cause to blame himself. But when one refuses to be grateful, then you become an ingrate to the giver therefore you should always be grateful during prayers. Whoever is not appreciative for the favour done for him or her will not have access to another for it is when you appreciate one effort that the person wills to do more I.e the giver gives out willingly when his previous generosity is appreciated.

7:Forgiveness: Everyday by day we commit sin and break taboos. Once a sinner had accepted the fault and is ready to seek forgiveness, he will not stay long kneeling. This is why it is imperatively necessary to ask for forgiveness of sins before prayer.

8:Prayer request:  Request is paramount thing while praying. Therefore, it is the heart of prayer. This is what one needs from Olodumare or what one lacks which one wants to have. Request may be thoroughly single or hydra headed single and it may be many. And the request will be presented one after the other.