Prayer is something like advertising

We think it is not permissible to pray for worldly objects but this is a popular delusion—pray for help whenever you want it, let the object be what it may but not if it is an evil object. In the latter case, prayer is certainly undesirable, for it is the cause of attracting to us spirits who will aid us in accomplishing our purpose, perhaps, but they will only increase our unhappiness afterwards, for, if we have strong willpower, we are tempting them. On the other hand, if we pray for a good object, we benefit the spirits whom we draw around us. It is good for them to help others and, in helping us, they help themselves. Thus, we see, prayer is a spiritual force which we can put in operation if we have willpower enough. It is not necessary before we can be helped but it is advisable because, although spirit friends can read our thoughts and understand our wants, we lose the aid of many others who cannot read our thoughts but who would be attracted to us by our prayers and would help us if they knew we wanted help. If, however, we never pray, they do not know of our needs and do not help us. Prayer is, therefore, something like advertising our wants in the newspapers. All spirits do not see them, it is true, but those who can help us are made aware of our needs and are able to assist us. We should, of course, prayer to God, not to spirits. He permits spirits to execute His decrees. We may not know that this is the case because we do not see God but we all live under His laws and nothing can happen contrary to His laws; consequently, whatever is done must be done by Divine sanction and to Him our prayers should be addressed. We can address our prayers to spirits if we like but it comes to the same thing. We call on the spirit of God which dwells in their souls—as in ours—to help us and that spirit responds to our call. There is, therefore, no disgrace in asking help from spirits.