As for prayer, you can — as a way of focusing your intention — make a determination to master the four qualities for weakening old kamma, but prayer on its own won’t be enough to do the job.

Question 16. Can rituals put an end to old kamma? Can prayer? Can an awakened being end my old kamma for me?

Thanissaro Bhikkhu: No, no, and no. The four qualities for weakening old kamma listed under the previous question are skills. Skills of this sort can’t be mastered simply by following a ritual formula, nor can anyone else — regardless of that person’s level of awakening — master them for you. You have to master them yourself.

As for prayer, you can — as a way of focusing your intention — make a determination to master these skills, but prayer on its own won’t be enough to do the job. As the Buddha said, if results could be obtained simply through prayer, who in the world would be ugly, in pain, or die young? [SN42:6,AN4:99]

~ Karma Q & A, a Study Guide

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