Esowiki - Spiritual Terms Simply Explained

Prayer

🙏 What is a prayer?

A prayer is a form of inner or spoken dialogue with a higher power—be it God, the universe, a spiritual principle, or one's own higher self.

It is an expression of:

Gratitude

Petition (e.g., for help, strength, or healing)

Praise or worship

Reflection and introspection

Connection with the divine or one's inner self

🧭 Why do people pray?

To find comfort in difficult times

To gain hope or strength

For spiritual alignment or inner cleansing

From tradition or ritual (e.g., morning, evening, before meals)

To receive clarity or guidance

🕊️ Forms of prayer

Spoken (aloud or silent)

Thought (inwardly, in the heart)

Sung (e.g., mantras, hymns)

Written (like a letter to the divine)

Contemplative / silent (pure abiding in the divine presence)

🧘 Prayer vs. Meditation

Prayer is often directed outward or upward, as conversation.
Meditation is often directed inward, as silence, listening, being.
But the two can overlap—especially in contemplative prayer.
🌟 A beautiful image:

Prayer is like opening a window—so that light, love, or comfort can enter.
It doesn't always change the world, but it changes us – and perhaps the world a little bit.