God always answers an honest man’s prayers

by Y.S. Rajasekar Reddy

(November 17, New Delhi, Sri Lanka Guardian) Since my childhood I have been a strong believer in God. I pray for 10 minutes in the morning every day and on Sundays I participate in at least half-an-hour long prayer. I believe in Jesus completely. But as far as rituals and other religious things are concerned, I normally skip them because of my busy schedule and political life.

I also visit Tirumala to pray to Lord Balaji whenever I get a chance. I am a spiritual man and feel that without spirituality one can’t really connect with Him. I never look for favours from God but pray to Him for the benefit of all my people. Even when I was in Opposition I used to pray for the general good.

God always answers an honest man’s prayers. This is my strong belief which has proved correct quite a number of times. Before I became the chief minister, I always prayed for relief from the severe drought that hit the state. My prayers were answered and after five consecutive years God has showered plenty of rain and given relief to my beloved farmers.

In my life till now I felt the need for God’s support on two occasions. In 1996, the entire Opposition and the then government tried every possible thing to defeat me in Lok Sabha elections. But with God’s grace I triumphed in that election. And with God’s grace I stand undefeated till now. When my father Y.S. Raja Reddy was murdered, I looked to God for strength. He gave me the ultimate courage to forgive my rivals. But God stood beside me to relieve my pain only after my beloved father left the world.

I do yoga and meditation every day for one hour. This relieves me of stress. Religion and spirituality are the only ways for every person to continue to be humane. If you believe in spirituality, you also believe in values and honesty. My wife, Vijaya Laxmi, dedicates herself to spiritual and religious rituals apart from taking care of me and my family. My daughter, my son are also strong believers in God and religion.

(As told to Krishna Prasad)
— Dr Y.S. Rajasekar Reddy is the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh - Sri Lanka Guardian