First let me assert that in the nearly three decades which I've been an Odinist, I have always prayed! In fact, no less than three times a day for over the past fifteen years now. Upon waking, midday and just prior to bed each evening. Now before folks get all sideways in their thoughts regarding prayer, please allow me the latitude to allay any preconceived misconceptions which you may harbor. Please consider the following facts as they both exist and apply. A great deal of the Christian faith’s rituals was in fact usurped from our ancestral faith in an effort to convert folk by incorporating the very rituals and traditions which they were accustomed to. Eventually they morphed into the more recognizable rites of the Christian faiths which we are familiar with today, albeit, they have their rudimentary foundation in the faiths of our forefathers.

Next, and equally as important, I'm not referring to prayer on bent knee, or in the form of begging for favors from Allfather Odin, or any of our beloved Gods/Goddesses... Not even close! What I am suggesting is that we restore sacredness to our beloved faith by openly re-embracing prayer just as our ancestors surly did. Yes, you read correctly! I said our ancestors did. Just think about it for a moment. Do you really think that Herman (Arminius) did not go into the sacred forest of the Teutons (Teutoburgerwald) and talk openly, or silently to Odin prior to launching his assault against Varus' Three legions? Or what about Ragnar Hairy Breeks, do you suppose that he never went to a natural spring, or sacred grove to speak with his God, Odin? Lore accounts have him calling out to Odin during his death song. Is that not prayer? What about Egil and Eirik the Red? Do you suppose that they never called out to Odin and Thor? Of course they did! What about today? Do you suppose Kinfolk in say, Wyoming, have not spoken aloud to our Gods while on, or around the Grand Teton Mountains, or any of its numerous meadows, valleys, or forests?

I've gone up on Mt. San Jacinto, over looking Palm Springs, California, on so many occasions just to openly commune/pray to our beloved Gods, especially Allfather Odin. I've done several rites upon that mountain. I did a Land Taking Rite whereby I named the site -"Wotan's Platz" (Odin's Place). I held this place to be so truly sacred, that I had only ever taken two others up there with me. I've done three day Utisétas up there twice, with positive results. I've had others request that I take them with me, but I ignored their protests as I felt that they were not worthy enough yet to set foot upon such holy ground. Two even went hiking all over he suspected area in search of the sacred site, but to no avail, (smile).

I am not the first to write about the place and validity of prayer within the Northern Faith. In 1994 CE Maddy Hutter and the Honorable Drighten, Stephen A. McNallen, wrote about it in the booklet which they composed entitled; "A Book of Uncommon Prayers". I am not certain as to whether or not the booklet is still available. You may elect to contact the Ásatrú Folk Assembly, regarding thus if you are interested.

Prayer is merely a form of communing with that which is divine, our Gods, Ancestors, the natural and unsullied environment in its many manifestations which reflect and echo the very faces and voices of our beloved Gods! Why, Blót itself is a form of prayer where we speak openly to our Gods... Must we restrict this sacred affair to only official Blótar? I think not.

I don't suggest that anyone do anything which they may be uncomfortable with. Though, it certainly escapes my comprehension as to how anyone could be uncomfortable speaking to their Gods. Just as their ancestors most assuredly did in locales ranging from mountain tops to alley floors. From meadows and sacred groves, to shorelines by the fjords.

I had previously asserted in this Hof Service, I pray no less than three times per day to our Gods, though mostly to Odin. Why three times? Three is a sacred number to all heathens/pagans and it is of course very Odinic in nature. I face the North, the direction of the Odal/Othal lands from which our Ancestors come and where our Gods and Faith first took root and spread forth throughout Midgard, wherever our folk may be found. Next - I Hammersign myself. Though, I must concede that my own Hammersign varies a degree from the traditional one. I go Odin, Baldur Freya and Thor. Why do I replace Frey with Freya? Because I find it erroneous that our faith speaks of such respect for our Goddesses and women folk with equality, and yet not one Goddess is named in our Hammersign blessing, the most recognized rite of reestablished Northern Religion. Hence, I have done something about it for the past twenty years or better now... I replace Frey with Freya and I don't think he minds at all. I certainly afford him his due!

Next, I assume the Irminsul Statha/Stada: () turning myself into the mighty world pillar and I speak my mind for a few moments. Once I've finished, I Hammersign myself and go on about my business. Like I said, I do this upon awakening, some point during the course of the day and just prior to retiring for the evening. The benefits are that it keeps me connected to my Gods throughout the breadth of the day and I usually have insightful dreams about our Gods in some context, or another, at night. I addition, it is my way of restoring a sacred respect for the Mannaz () union between myself and Odin in an effort to exhibit that I never take him, or the Gods and their gifts, for granted. I also meditate while facing North.

Follow your hearts, remain Trú to yourselves and to our Gods. This is the secret to a fulfilled and spiritually prosperous life. Live an enriched life with our Gods as your compass, and just as a compass only works when you employ its Rede, so it is true of our Gods.

Perform a Blót to your preferred God(s), or Goddess(es). Pray as oft to them as you desire. Meditate upon and Galdr these Runes; Mannaz (), Ansuz () and Gebo ().

I remain in Frith with and in service to thee.

"Man is what he honors."- An Odinist proverb