Prayer

From SkepticWiki

[edit] Definition

Prayer is the attempt to establish a one- or two-way communication with a higher power.

[edit] Expression

Prayer may be an outward vocal expression, (in the practitioner's native language or in Tongues), or an internal monologue. It is often accompanied by kneeling, either upright or bowing one's head to the ground. Often, while kneeling upright to pray, the hands are brought together in front of the chest. The hands are usually pressed, palms together, with the fingers either pointing straight up or interlaced. Often the eyes are closed, but may be open as well. Some groups choose to lift their arms upward, spread apart, while looking up during prayer. The Abrahamic Religions (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam) are most commonly associated with prayer, although most religions perform some sort of prayer. Meditation may be considered a form of prayer, and some may view prayer as a form of meditation.

[edit] Purposes

A Prayer may either have a specific purpose or may be just a quieting of the mind in order that the practitioner may be open to communication from the higher power one is attempting to contact.

• The specific purposes may include:
  • Thanksgiving - Giving of thanks for gifts, and blessings believed to be received from the higher power.
  • Forgiveness - Asking the higher power to remove sins from the soul of the practitioner.
  • Healing - Asking the higher power to heal an illness or injury. Also referred to as Faith Healing
  • Blessing - Asking the higher power for some future blessing. This may be a spiritual blessing (e.g. protection from evil), a physical blessing (e.g. strength or endurance), a material blessing(e.g. A new car, wealth), or environmental blessing (e.g. rain or sunshine)