I started reviewing the applicable halachos as mentioned in many of the previous posts. I went a little further in the Feldheim Pisgah Hebrew/english Mishna Berurah to chapter 98 entitle “That One Is Reguired To Pray With Application”
below is NOT word for word from the sefer – I tried to capture the essence(the 1st paragraph is from the sefer, the second is my comments along the lines of this thread:
1) he must apply his mind to the meaning of the words and be aware that the Schehinah is in front of him. purge all other thoughts that preoccupy him and if a foreign thought enters, stop, re-purge and then continue.
those that are in shul should spend their pre-dovenen time to preparing their minds to dovenen and not to noticing what others are or are not wearing.
2) in places and at times that hinder proper application one should not pray – however, because we do not follow rule 1 so well, this does not necessarily apply.
let us make a committment to follow rule 1 so as to better follow rule 2 and not rely on the fact that we mostly do not follow rule 1 all to well.
3) one should supplicate like a begger however one needs to be tranquil and not give the appearance that praying is a burden.
….even if the guy next to you is wearing yellow crocs, be tranquil.
4) being as the prayers substitue for the offerings, thoughts must be proper so as not to invalidate it. additionally is is fitting to have fines clothes specially for prayer (analogous to the Konhanim) but due to cost restraints not everyohe can afford this, nevertheless, it is desirable to have special trousers for praying for cleanliness.
remember why you are there and what you are trying to accomplish forgiveness and closeness to HaShem. Special clothes (trousers) are desirable to better fit the situation that you are currently involved with
5) one should not think that if he did 1-4 above he deserves to be answered Yes to all his requests, rather the prayer should remind him of who he is and his lackings.
no additional comment needed regarding this thread
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perhaps we should spend at least as much time perfecting OUR application of the above rules as we do trying to perfect OTHERS regarding hats, jackets and footwear (not that they are mutually exclusive).