Relationships, even the most basic ones, require communication: both verbal and nonverbal. Communication can be defined as the starting point of interaction between two individuals. All beings perform some sort of communication; even amoeba "communicate" with other amoeba with movements and undulations, and even fish and insects have postures and movements, if not voices like other animals including human beings.

In humans, communication can be verbal or nonverbal, active or passive. It can be replicated or archived. It can be understood or misunderstood. Communication leads into other forms of interaction, yet is a form of relationship unto itself. It can be controlled or uncontrolled, wanted or unwanted. It is a fact of human life that humans communicate, whether they believe that they do, or even wish to.

Communication is an unlimited tool in its expression. Humans communicate with themselves, with other humans, with their pets, their possessions and their environment. Importantly, Humans also communicate with the Divine, and the Divine can and often does communicate back.

For the Kemetic Orthodox, the starting point of any communication with Netjer--our understood word (a "communication") for the Divine--is prayer. Prayer is the basis of Kemetic Orthodox spiritual life and the action upon which all interaction with Netjer depends. One indeed cannot have a relationship with Netjer without praying going on; and learning how to pray effectively is a lifelong process.

Prayer is not only useful toward communicating with Netjer; it helps the person doing the praying to focus upon the communication, to make sure it is comprehensible and meaningful. Taking time both to act in prayer and to think about how and what one prays are both important. Prayer can be complicated, as in formal rites with invocations taking hours on end; or it can be as simple as a whispered "thank You" into the starlit sky.

I was sent a little note this past week by the International Interdenominational Prayer Ministry, a group operating off of America Online's Catholic Community (keyword CATHOLIC for those of you who are on AOL). While most of its members are Catholics or other denominations of Christianity, I have interaction with some of the group leaders through my longtime association with AOL's Spirituality Forum (keyword SPIRITUALITY), and we had been talking about everyday things, sharing prayer requests, and so on. CCFS Avila, a Catholic Community host, sent me a beautiful "instruction set" for a very simple sort of prayer, and I found it so thought-provoking that I wanted to share it with you here; I see no reason why it could not work as a template for any human prayer, of any denomination or creed:

The Five Finger Prayer

1. Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember.

2. The next finger is your pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is your tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the political leader, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nations and guide public opinion.

4. The fourth finger is your ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is the weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind you to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes your little finger; the smallest finger of all; which is where you should place yourself in relation to Deity and others. Your pinky should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

And since Netjer gave humans two hands, perhaps one could also add:

6. Be sure to pray more than once.