For some, prayer is almost a second language. For others, to pray might be inconceivable. Where do you stand? Do you pray?
It might seem at first that prayer is reserved for the religious. For those who believe in a deity, it is only natural to offer up a thought, or wish, to that higher power.
However, anyone can pray. Even if you are not a member of an organized religion, you might still believe in something larger than yourself. Even an atheist might see the value in putting out good vibes to the universe in some sort of structured way.
Of course, different people view prayer differently. For some, the way that many approach prayer — asking for material wealth or good fortune for you or a loved one — seems downright silly. Even if there is someone listening, why would they care if your favorite sports team beats it’s cross-town rival? Why should your plea for a better job, newer car, or winning the lottery matter?
So a secondary question might be: How do you pray? Is it asking for favor for yourself and misfortune for those you don’t like? Is it an attempt at a conversation with someone that isn’t there? How about an attempt to understand the world and your place in it? Would you consider that praying?
What does prayer mean to you? Do you practice it, and if so, how?
Related questions: Are science and religion compatible? What does spirituality mean to you? What do you believe?
Prayer should be a sacred act and, I believe, is reserved for an appeal to a deity. Proper prayer calls to a higher power for the inner strength and character to do what is right, to care for those who need it, and to give thanks for one’s good fortune. One cheapens prayer when the ask is trivially selfish (e.g., a god or gods should care less about what sports team wins on any given day or ever).
I am an atheist. I don’t believe in a higher power. (Although, I don’t denigrate those who do.) And I don’t think my inner calls for personal hopes and wishes are prayers. Instead, they are reminders to myself: calling for the intestinal fortitude to act with solid character, a wish that those who need care receive it, or a reminder to express gratitude for my good fortune.
People of faith, agnostics, and atheists may want and hope for the same things. But as for how we ask for those things, the similarities end there.
I’m rather relentlessly non-spiritual, materialistic, rationalistic, so I do not pray in any way, nor do I bow my head when others do so.
When I think “I wish” or “I hope” I don’t expect some external being may answer that thought. It’s more of a self-strengthening strategy. That’s what I believe prayer developed from.
To me prayer is talking and listening to God. I do pray in several ways. I ask Him/Her for things, and I give thanks for answered prayers. I’m a Catholic so I pray to Jesus, and the Holy Spirit as well. I have a favorite saint, Padre Pio, who prays for me as well. My church has a prayer team that I belong to, and I ask them for prayers as well. Of course, I ask family and friends to pray for me and I pray for them.
Lately I’ve been praying on my daily walks. My former pastor, Father Tim Power, liked to quote Fr. Ed Hayes on prayer. Both of these priests have since passed away, but I still think of what they said about prayer. Ed Hayes said that whenever he saw an ambulance or fire truck, he would pray for the people involved. Father Tim told a story about a postal carrier who would pray for each person he delivered a letter to. I decided to pray for each airplane and its crew and passengers that pass overhead on my daily walk. When I started this, I had no idea how many airplanes fly over my neighborhood! So my prayers are very short, like God bless them. I realize this may sound a little crazy, but these airplane prayers have helped me to be aware of God’s presence when I’m outside walking.
Prayer also means praying with my church communities. I have two churches, Pax Christi and Charis. The latter has a woman pastor, something I would like to see more of. So far, I haven’t heard a good explanation for not ordaining women.
This response is getting kind of long. You’ve asked a great question as far as I’m concerned. I hope (and pray) that it will touch someone’s heart and spark an interesting conversation. Amen!