Prayer

Prayer is a deliberate act of communication intended to build a rapport with an object of worship.

In a narrow sense, it is often defined as supplication or intercession. Supplication means asking for something, while intercession is asking on behalf of another person. People may direct these communications toward a deity or a deified ancestor. More broadly, prayer serves many purposes beyond asking for help. It can be used to offer praise or to express gratitude. In the study of comparative religion, prayer is often linked to meditation, charms, or spells.

There are many different mechanisms through which prayer is expressed. It can be part of a formal liturgy, which is a set sequence of rituals. It can also be a spontaneous utterance from the individual. Some people recite prayers from memory or read them from a holy book. Others may compose prayers impromptu, or without prior preparation. Prayer can be performed privately as affective prayer, or collectively in a group.

Some traditions even incorporate prayer into a constant "thought life" throughout the entire day.

Different religious traditions use specific types of prayer and distinct physical actions. Friedrich Heiler identified six types: primitive, ritual, Greek cultural, philosophical, mystical, and prophetic. Within these traditions, the methods vary greatly. For example, Hindus may chant mantras, while some Sufis perform whirling movements. In Judaism, the practice of shuckling involves swaying the body back and forth.

Muslim prayer often includes bowing, kneeling, and prostration. Some faiths also require ritual purification, such as wudhu, before prayer can begin.

Physical postures and outward acts often accompany the mental or verbal aspects of prayer. Common postures include standing, sitting, kneeling, or being prostrate on the floor. People may also have their eyes open or closed, or they may fold their hands.

Other outward signs include anointing with oil, ringing a bell, or burning incense.

Some believers face a specific direction, such as toward the East or toward Mecca. Fasting, the act of abstaining from food, is another less visible act related to prayer.

Historical records show that prayer has been part of human culture for thousands of years. Written evidence of prayer exists from at least five thousand years ago. The Egyptian Pyramid Texts from the 26th century BC contain spells and incantations for gods.

In ancient Rome, prayer was often viewed as a legal bargain known as *do ut des*. This Latin phrase means "I give, so that you may give." This suggests that worshippers offered sacrifices to ensure the deity would provide a favor in return. This ritualized approach was common in many polytheistic religions of the Iron Age.

Different eras have seen changes in how people physically approach the divine. In classical antiquity, a kneeling position with raised hands expressed supplication. Early Christians often practiced prayer by standing with outspread arms and a bare head.

However, during the high medieval period in Europe, the posture of kneeling with clasped hands became more common. This change likely came from the practice of feudal homage, where subjects showed respect to lords. In Norse traditions, prayers are recorded in later literature, such as the 13th-century poem *Sigrdrífumál*.

This poem features a valkyrie named Sigrdrífa praying to the gods and the earth.

Prayer also connects to broader psychological and scientific discussions. Some traditions make a distinction between contemplation and meditation. In the Catholic faith, contemplation is a foundational practice that uses the imagination. Meditation, however, uses the reasoning faculty to better understand religious revelation.

Additionally, scientific studies have looked into the efficacy of prayer. Many studies have focused on whether prayer affects the healing of sick or injured people. These studies have produced contradictory results, leaving the subject open to continued investigation and wonder.