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Mary Magdalene by Ary Scheffer

(1795–1858).

PrayerFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Prayer is an invocation or act that seeks to activate a rapport with a

deity, an object of worship, or a spiritual entity through deliberate

communication. Prayer can be a form of religious practice, may be

either individual or communal and take place in public or in private. It

may involve the use of words or song. When language is used, prayermay take the form of a hymn, incantation, formal creed, or a

spontaneous utterance in the praying person. There are different forms

of prayer such as petitionary prayer, prayers of supplication,

thanksgiving, and worship/praise. Prayer may be directed towards a

deity, spirit, deceased person, or lofty idea, for the purpose of 

worshipping, requesting guidance, requesting assistance, confessing

sins or to express one's thoughts and emotions. Thus, people pray for

many reasons such as personal benefit or for the sake of others. Yoga

is also a common form of prayer.

Most major religions involve prayer in one way or another. Some

ritualize the act of prayer, requiring a strict sequence of actions or

placing a restriction on who is permitted to pray, while others teach

that prayer may be practiced spontaneously by anyone at any time.

Scientific studies regarding the use of prayer have mostly concentrated

on its effect on the healing of sick or injured people. Meta-studies of 

the studies in this field have been performed showing evidence only

for no effect or a potentially small effect. For instance, a 2006 meta analysis on 14 studies concluded that ther

is "no discernable effect" while a 2007 systemic review of intercessory prayer reported inconclusive results,noting that 7 of 17 studies had "small, but significant, effect sizes" but the review noted that the most

methodologically rigorous studies failed to produce significant findings.[1][2] The efficacy of petition in praye

for physical healing to a deity has been evaluated in numerous other studies, with contradictory

results.[3][4][5][6] There has been some criticism of the way the studies were conducted.[7][8]

Contents

1 Forms of prayer2 The act of worship3 Pre-Christian Europe

3.1 Etruscan, Greek, and Roman paganism3.2 Germanic paganism

4 Abrahamic religions4.1 Bible4.2 Judaism

4.2.1 Rationalist approach to prayer

 

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4.2.2 Educational approach to prayer4.2.3 Kabbalistic approach to prayer

4.3 Christianity4.3.1 Pentecostalism4.3.2 Christian Science4.3.3 Prevalence of prayer for health

4.4 Islam4.5 Bahá'í 

5 Eastern religions5.1 Buddhism5.2 Hinduism5.3 Jainism5.4 Shinto5.5 Sikhism5.6 Taoism

6 Other religions6.1 Wicca6.2 Raelism6.3 Eckankar

7 Animism7.1 America7.2 Australia

8 Neopaganism9 Theurgy and Western esotericism10 Approaches to prayer

10.1 Direct petitions to God10.2 Educational approach10.3 Rationalist approach10.4 Experiential approach10.5 Transformative approach

11 Prayer groups12 Prayer healing

12.1 Efficacy of prayer healing13 See also14 References and footnotes15 External links

Forms of prayer

Various spiritual traditions offer a wide variety of devotional acts. There are morning and evening prayers,

graces said over meals, and reverent physical gestures. Some Christians bow their heads and fold their hands

Some Native Americans regard dancing as a form of prayer.[9] Some Sufis whirl.[10] Hindus chant

mantras.[11] Jewish prayer may involve swaying back and forth and bowing.[12] Muslims practice salah

(kneeling and prostration) in their prayers. Quakers keep silent.[13] Some pray according to standardized

rituals and liturgies, while others prefer extemporaneous prayers. Still others combine the two.

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Christians at prayer

Muslim men prostrating

during prayer in a mosque.

These methods show a variety of understandings to prayer, which are led by underlying beliefs.

These beliefs may be that

the finite can communicate with the infinitethe infinite is interested in communicating with the finiteprayer is intended to inculcate certain attitudes in the one who prays, rather than to influence therecipient

prayer is intended to train a person to focus on the recipient throughphilosophy and intellectual contemplationprayer is intended to enable a person to gain a direct experience of therecipientprayer is intended to affect the very fabric of reality as we perceive itprayer is a catalyst for change in oneself and/or one's circumstances,or likewise those of third party beneficiariesthe recipient desires and appreciates prayer

or any combination of these.[citation needed ]

The act of prayer is attested in written sources as early as 5000 years ago. [14]

Some anthropologists, such as Sir Edward Burnett Tylor and Sir James

George Frazer, believed that the earliest intelligent modern humans practiced

something that we would recognize today as prayer.[15]

Friedrich Heiler is often cited in Christian circles for his systematic Typology

of Prayer which lists six types of prayer: primitive, ritual, Greek cultural,

philosophical, mystical, and prophetic.[16]

The act of worship

See also: Worship

Prayer has many different forms. Prayer may be done privately and individually, or it may be done corporatel

in the presence of fellow believers. Prayer can be incorporated into a daily "thought life", in which one is in

constant communication with a god. Some people pray throughout all that is happening during the day and

seek guidance as the day progresses. This is actually regarded as a requirement in several Christian

denominations,[17] although enforcement is not possible nor desirable. There can be many different answers t

prayer, just as there are many ways to interpret an answer to a question, if there in fact comes an answer. [17]

Some may experience audible, physical, or mental epiphanies. If indeed an answer comes, the time and place

it comes is considered random. Some outward acts that sometimes accompany prayer are: anointing withoil;[18] ringing a bell;[19] burning incense or paper;[20] lighting a candle or candles;[21] facing a specific

direction (i.e. towards Mecca[22] or the East); making the sign of the cross. One less noticeable act related to

prayer is fasting.

A variety of body postures may be assumed, often with specific meaning (mainly respect or adoration)

associated with them: standing; sitting; kneeling; prostrate on the floor; eyes opened; eyes closed; hands folde

or clasped; hands upraised; holding hands with others; a laying on of hands and others. Prayers may be recite

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from memory, read from a book of prayers, or composed spontaneously as they are prayed. They may be sai

chanted, or sung. They may be with musical accompaniment or not. There may be a time of outward silence

while prayers are offered mentally. Often, there are prayers to fit specific occasions, such as the blessing of a

meal, the birth or death of a loved one, other significant events in the life of a believer, or days of the year tha

have special religious significance. Details corresponding to specific traditions are outlined below.

Pre-Christian Europe

Etruscan, Greek, and Roman paganism

In the pre-Christian religions of Greeks and Romans (Ancient Greek religion, Roman religion), ceremonial

prayer was highly formulaic and ritualized.[23][24] The Iguvine Tables contain a supplication that can be

translated, "If anything was said improperly, if anything was done improperly, let it be as if it were done

correctly."

The formalism and formulaic nature of these prayers led them to be written down in language that may have

only been partially understood by the writer, and our texts of these prayers may in fact be garbled. Prayers in

Etruscan were used in the Roman world by augurs and other oracles long after Etruscan became a deadlanguage. The Carmen Arvale and the Carmen Saliare are two specimens of partially preserved prayers that

seem to have been unintelligible to their scribes, and whose language is full of archaisms and difficult

passages.[25]

Roman prayers and sacrifices were often envisioned as legal bargains between deity and worshipper. The

Roman principle was expressed as do ut des: "I give, so that you may give." Cato the Elder's treatise on

agriculture contains many examples of preserved traditional prayers; in one, a farmer addresses the unknown

deity of a possibly sacred grove, and sacrifices a pig in order to placate the god or goddess of the place and

beseech his or her permission to cut down some trees from the grove.[26]

Germanic paganism

An amount of accounts of prayers to the gods in Germanic paganism survived the process of Christianization

though only a single prayer has survived without the interjection of Christian references. This prayer is

recorded in stanzas 2 and 3 of the poem Sigrdrífumál, compiled in the 13th century Poetic Edda from earlier

traditional sources, where the valkyrie Sigrdrífa prays to the gods and the earth after being woken by the hero

Sigurd.[27]

A prayer to the bigger god Odin is mentioned in chapter 2 of the Völsunga saga where King Rerir prays for

child. His prayer is answered by Frigg, wife of Odin, who sends him an apple, which is dropped on his lap bFrigg's servant in the form of a crow while Rerir is sitting on a mound. Rerir's wife eats the apple and is then

pregnant with the hero Völsung. In stanza 9 of the poem Oddrúnargrátr, a prayer is made to "kind wights,

Frigg and Freyja, and many gods," although since the poem is often considered one of the youngest poems in

the Poetic Edda, the passage has been the matter of some debate.[28]

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The valkyrie Sigrdrífa says

pagan Norse prayer in

Sigrdrífumál. Illustration by

Arthur Rackham.

In chapter 21 of  Jómsvíkinga saga, wishing to turn the tide of the Battle of 

Hjörungavágr, Haakon Sigurdsson eventually finds his prayers answered by

the goddesses Þorgerðr Hölgabrúðr and Irpa (the first of the two described as

Haakon's patron goddess) who appear in the battle, kill many of the opposing

fleet, and cause the remnants of their forces to flee. However, this depiction of 

a pagan prayer has been criticized as inaccurate due to the description of 

Haakon dropping to his knees.[29]

The 11th-century manuscript for the Anglo-Saxon charm Æcerbot presentswhat is thought to be an originally pagan prayer for the fertility of the

speaker's crops and land, though Christianization is apparent throughout the

charm.[30] The 8th-century Wessobrunn Prayer has been proposed as a

Christianized pagan prayer and compared to the pagan Völuspá[31] and the

Merseburg Incantations, the latter recorded in the 9th or 10th century but of 

much older traditional origins.[32]

Abrahamic religions

Bible

In the common Bible of the Abrahamic religions, various forms of prayer appear; the most common forms

being petition, thanksgiving, and worship. The longest book in the Bible is the Book of Psalms, 150 religiou

songs which are often regarded as prayers. Other well-known Biblical prayers include the Song of Moses

(Exodus 15:1–18), the Song of Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1–10), and the Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55). But perhaps

the best-known prayer in the Christian Bible is the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13; Luke 11:2–4).

See also: Tanakh, New Testament, Prayer in the Hebrew Bible, and Prayer in the New Testament 

Judaism

 Main article: Jewish prayer

Observant Jews pray three times a day, Shacharit, Mincha, and Arvit with lengthier prayers on special days,

such as the Shabbat and Jewish holidays including Musaf and the reading of the Torah. The siddur is the

prayerbook used by Jews all over the world, containing a set order of daily prayers. Jewish prayer is usually

described as having two aspects: kavanah (intention) and keva (the ritualistic, structured elements).

The most important Jewish prayers are the Shema Yisrael ("Hear O Israel") and the Amidah ("the standingprayer").

Communal prayer is preferred over solitary prayer, and a quorum of 10 adult males (a minyan) is considered

by Orthodox Judaism a prerequisite for several communal prayers.

There are also many other ritualistic prayers a Jew performs during their day, such as washing before eating

bread, washing after one wakes up in the morning, and doing grace after meals.

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Captain Samuel Cass, a

rabbi, conducting the first

prayer service celebrated on

German territory by Jewish

personnel of the 1st

Canadian Army near Cleve,

Germany, 18 March 1945.

Orthodox Jewish women praying in

Jerusalem's Western Wall tunnel

Rationalist approach to prayer

In this view, ultimate goal of prayer is

to help train a person to focus on

divinity through philosophy and

intellectual contemplation. This

approach was taken by Maimonides

and the other medieval rationalists.

One example of this approach to

prayer is noted by Rabbi Steven Weil,

who was appointed the Orthodox

Union's Executive-Vice President in

2009. He notes that the word “prayer”

is a derivative of the Latin “precari”, which means “to beg”. The Hebrew

equivalent “tefilah”, however, along with its root “pelel” or its reflexive

“l’hitpallel”, means the act of self-analysis or self-evaluation.[33] This

approach is sometimes described as the person praying having a dialogue or

conversation with God.

[34]

Educational approach to prayer

In this view, prayer is not a conversation. Rather, it is meant to inculcate certain attitudes in the one who pray

but not to influence. This has been the approach of Rabbenu Bachya, Yehuda Halevy, Joseph Albo, Samson

Raphael Hirsch, and Joseph Dov Soloveitchik. This view is expressed by Rabbi Nosson Scherman in the

overview to the Artscroll Siddur (p. XIII); note that Scherman goes on to also affirm the Kabbalistic view (se

below).

Kabbalistic approach to prayer

Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) uses a series of kavanot, directions of intent, to specify the path the prayer

ascends in the dialog with God, to increase its chances of being answered favorably. Kabbalists ascribe a

higher meaning to the purpose of prayer, which is no less than affecting the very fabric of reality itself,

restructuring and repairing the universe in a real fashion. In this view, every word of every prayer, and indee

even every letter of every word, has a precise meaning and a precise effect. Prayers thus literally affect the

mystical forces of the universe, and repair the fabric of creation.[35]

Among Jews, this approach has been taken by the Chassidei Ashkenaz (German pietists of the Middle-Ages)

the Arizal's Kabbalist tradition, Ramchal, most of Hassidism, the Vilna Gaon, and Jacob Emden.

Christianity

 Main articles: Prayer in Christianity and Christian worship

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Orthodox pilgrim praying in front of

icon of Saint Mary in Kiev Pechersk

Lavra, Ukraine.

18th-century Byzantine-style bronze

panagia from Jerusalem, showing the

Virgin Mary in the orans prayer

posture.

Christian prayers are quite varied. They can be completely spontaneous, or read entirely from a text, like the

Anglican Book of Common Prayer. The most common prayer among Christians is the Lord's Prayer, which

according to the gospel accounts (e.g. Matthew 6:9–13) is how Jesus taught his disciples to pray.[36] The

Lord's prayer is a model for prayers of adoration, confession and

petition in Christianity.[36]

Christians generally pray to God or to the Father. Some Christians

(e.g., Catholics, Orthodox) will also ask the righteous in heaven and

"in Christ," such as Virgin Mary or other saints to intercede by

praying on their behalf (intercession of saints). Formulaic closures

include "through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and

reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, through all the

ages of ages," and "in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the

Holy Spirit."

It is customary among Protestants to end prayers with "In Jesus' name,

Amen" or "In the name of Christ, Amen." [37] However, the most

commonly used closure in Christianity is simply "Amen" (from a

Hebrew adverb used as a statement of affirmation or agreement,

usually translated as so be it ).

In the Western or Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, probably the

most common is the Rosary; In the Eastern Church (the Eastern rites

of the Catholic Church and Orthodox Church), the Jesus Prayer. The

Jesus Prayer is also often repeated as part of the meditative hesychasm

practice in Eastern Christianity.[38]

Roman Catholic tradition includes specific prayers and devotions as

acts of reparation which do not involve a petition for a living ordeceased beneficiary, but aim to repair the sins of others, e.g. for the

repair of the sin of blasphemy performed by others.[39]

Other forms of prayer among Catholic's would be meditative prayer,

contemplative prayer and infused prayer discussed at length by

Catholic Saint's St. John of the Cross and St. Theresa of Jesus.

Pentecostalism

In Pentecostal congregations, prayer is often done by speaking in a

foreign tongue, a practice now known as glossolalia.[40] Practitioners

of Pentecostal glossolalia may claim that the languages they speak in prayer are real foreign languages, and

that the ability to speak those languages spontaneously is a gift of the Holy Spirit;[41][42] however, many

people outside the movement have offered alternative views. George Barton Cutten suggested that glossolali

was a sign of mental illness.[43] Felicitas Goodman suggested that tongue speakers were under a form of 

hypnosis.[44] Others suggest that it is a learned behaviour.[45][46] Some of these views have allegedly been

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Muslim men praying in Afghanistan.

refuted.[47][48]

Christian Science

Christian Science teaches that prayer is a spiritualization of thought or an understanding of God and of the

nature of the underlying spiritual creation. Adherents believe that this can result in healing, by bringing

spiritual reality (the "Kingdom of Heaven" in Biblical terms) into clearer focus in the human scene. The worl

as it appears to the senses is regarded as a distorted version of the world of spiritual ideas. Prayer can heal thedistortion. Christian Scientists believe that prayer does not change the spiritual creation but gives a clearer

view of it, and the result appears in the human scene as healing: the human picture adjusts to coincide more

nearly with the divine reality.[49] Christian Scientists do not practice intercessory prayer as it is commonly

understood, and they generally avoid combining prayer with medical treatment in the belief that the two

practices tend to work against each other. (However, the choice of healing method is regarded as a matter for

the individual, and the Christian Science Church exerts no pressure on members to avoid medical treatment if

they wish to avail of it as an alternative to Christian Science healing.[citation needed ]) Prayer works through

love: the recognition of God's creation as spiritual, intact, and inherently lovable. [50]

Prevalence of prayer for health

Some modalities of alternative medicine employ prayer. A survey released in May 2004

(http://nccam.nih.gov/news/camsurvey.htm) by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative

Medicine, part of the National Institutes of Health in the United States, found that in 2002, 43% of American

pray for their own health, 24% pray for others' health, and 10% participate in a prayer group for their own

health.

Islam

 Main article: Salah and Dua

Muslims pray a ritualistic prayer called salah or salat in Arabic, facing

the Kaaba in Mecca, five times a day. The command to ritual prayer is

in the Quran in several chapters. The prophet Muhammed showed

each Muslim the true method of offering ritual prayers thus the same

method is observed till date. There is the "call for prayer" (adhan),

where the muezzin calls for all the followers to stand together for the

ritual prayer. The prayer consists of standing, by mentioning ‘Allāhu

akbar’ (Allāh is Great) followed by recitation of the first chapter of the

Quran. Afterwards the person bends and praises God, then prostratesthemself and again praises God. The prayer ends with the following

words: "Peace be with you and God’s mercy". During the prayer, a

Muslim cannot talk or do anything else besides praying. Certain Shia sects combine the 5 prayers into 3 times

a day, providing several hadith as supporting evidence.[51]

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Prayer hall of the Great Mosque of 

Kairouan (also called Mosque of Uqba)

which is situated in the city of Kairouan in

Tunisia. At the bottom of the central nave

of the prayer hall there is a niche (the

mihrab) which indicates the direction of 

the prayer.

Buddhists praying at Wat Phra Kaew

Thailand.

Once the ritual prayer (salah) is complete, one can offer persona

prayers or supplications to God for their needs. These are called

dua. There are many standard invocations in Arabic to be recite

at various times, e.g. for one's parents, after salah, before eating

Muslims may also say dua in their own words and languages fo

any issue they wish to communicate with God in the hope that

God will answer their prayers.[22]

Bahá'í 

 Main article: Prayer in the Bahá'í Faith

Bahá'u'lláh, the Báb, and `Abdu'l-Bahá have revealed many

prayers for general use, and some for specific occasions,

including for unity, detachment, spiritual upliftment, and healing

among others. Bahá'ís are also required to recite each day one o

three obligatory prayers revealed by Bahá'u'lláh. The believers

have been enjoined to face in the direction of the Qiblih when

reciting their Obligatory Prayer. The longest obligatory prayer may be recited at any time during the day;another, of medium length, is recited once in the morning, once at midday, and once in the evening; and the

shortest can be recited anytime between noon and sunset. Bahá'ís also read from and meditate on the scripture

every morning and evening.[52]

Eastern religions

In contrast with Western religion, Eastern religion for the most part discards worship and places devotional

emphasis on the practice of meditation alongside scriptural study. Consequently, prayer is seen as a form of 

meditation or an adjunct practice to meditation.[citation needed ]

Buddhism

In certain Buddhist sects, prayer accompanies meditation. Buddhism

for the most part sees prayer as a secondary, supportive practice to

meditation and scriptural study. Gautama Buddha claimed that human

beings possess the capacity and potential to become liberated, or

enlightened, through contemplation (Sanskrit: bhāvana and dhyāna),

leading to insight. Prayer is seen mainly as a powerful psycho-

physical practice that can enhance meditation.[53]

In the earliest Buddhist tradition, the Theravada, and in the later

Mahayana tradition of Zen (or Chán), prayer plays only an ancillary

role. It is largely a ritual expression of wishes for success in the

practice and in helping all beings.[54][55][56][57]

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The skillful means (Sanskrit: upāya) of the transfer of merit (Sanskrit: pariṇāmanā) is an evocation and praye

Moreover, indeterminate buddhas are available for intercession as they reside in awoken-fields (Sanskrit:

buddha-kshetra).

The nirmānakāya of an awoken-field is what is generally known and understood as a mandala. The opening

and closing of the ring (Sanskrit: maṇḍala) is an active prayer. An active prayer is a mindful activity, an

activity in which mindfulness is not just cultivated but is.[58] A common prayer is "May the merit of my

practice, adorn Buddhas' Pure Lands, requite the fourfold kindness from above, and relieve the suffering of th

three life-journeys below. Universally wishing sentient beings, Friends, foes, and karmic creditors, all toactivate the bodhi mind, and all to be reborn in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss." (K       ı       8       Ñ       D               –       O       w       ’      

ö       p       ¾       w       ¥        ̀       È        ̧      x                Ÿ       K        ̋      ê       ¢         à      5        ̋      [       ;               Ì       k       :       #         œ      ¢       é       Í        ̈      )[59]

The Generation Stage (Sanskrit: utpatti-krama) of Vajrayana involves prayer elements.[60]

The Tibetan Buddhism tradition emphasizes an instructive and devotional relationship to a guru; this may

involve devotional practices known as guru yoga which are congruent with prayer. It also appears that Tibeta

Buddhism posits the existence of various deities, but the peak view of the tradition is that the deities or yidam

are no more existent or real than the continuity (Sanskrit: santana; refer mindstream) of the practitioner,

environment and activity. But how practitioners engage yidam or tutelary deities will depend upon the level omore appropriately yana at which they are practicing. At one level, one may pray to a deity for protection or

assistance, taking a more subordinate role. At another level, one may invoke the deity, on a more equal

footing. And at a higher level one may deliberately cultivate the idea that one has become the deity, whilst

remaining aware that its ultimate nature is śūnyatā. The views of the more esoteric yana are impenetrable for

those without direct experience and empowerment.

Pure Land Buddhism emphasizes the recitation by devotees of prayer-like mantras, a practice often called

Nembutsu.[61]:190 On one level it is said that reciting these mantras can ensure rebirth into a Sambhogakāya

land (Sanskrit: buddha-kshetra) after bodily dissolution, a sheer ball spontaneously co-emergent to a buddha

enlightened intention. According to Shinran, the founder of the Pure Land Buddhism tradition that is most

prevalent in the US,[61]:193[62] "for the long haul nothing is as efficacious as the Nembutsu."[61]:197[63] On

another, the practice is a form of meditation aimed at achieving realization.[citation needed ]

But beyond all these practices the Buddha emphasized the primacy of individual practice and experience. He

said that supplication to gods or deities was not necessary. Nevertheless, today many lay people in East Asian

countries pray to the Buddha in ways that resemble Western prayer—asking for intervention and offering

devotion.

Hinduism

 Main article: Prayer in Hinduism

Hinduism has incorporated many kinds of prayer (Sanskrit: prārthanā), from fire-based rituals to philosophic

musings. While chanting involves 'by dictum' recitation of timeless verses or verses with timings and notation

dhyanam involves deep meditation (however short or long) on the preferred deity/God. Again the object to

which prayers are offered could be a persons referred as devtas, trinity or incarnation of either devtas or trinit

or simply plain formless meditation as practiced by the ancient sages. All of these are directed to fulfilling

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Shakta Hindus in Dhaka, Bangladesh

pray to the goddess during Durga

Puja, October 2003.

A man praying at a Japanese Shinto

shrine.

personal needs or deep spiritual enlightenment. Ritual invocation was part and parcel of the Vedic religion an

as such permeated their sacred texts. Indeed, the highest sacred texts of the Hindus, the Vedas, are a large

collection of mantras and prayer rituals. Classical Hinduism came to focus on extolling a single supreme force

Brahman, that is made manifest in several lower forms as the familiar gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus in

India have numerous devotional movements. Hindus may pray to the highest absolute God Brahman, or mor

commonly to Its three manifestations namely creator god called

Brahma, preserver god called Vishnu and destroyer god (so that the

creation cycle can start afresh) Shiva, and at the next level to Vishnu's

avatars (earthly appearances) Rama and Krishna or to many othermale or female deities. Typically, Hindus pray with their hands (the

palms) joined together in pranam.[64] The hand gesture is similar to

the popular Indian greeting namaste.

Jainism

Although Jainism believes that no spirit or divine being can assist

them on their path, these figures do hold some influence on believers,

and on special occasions, Jains will pray for right knowledge to the

twenty-four Tirthankaras or sometimes to deities such as Ganesha or

protectors such as the Yakshas and Yakshinis.

Shinto

 Main articles: Shinto and Ema (Shintō)

The practices involved in Shinto prayer are heavily influenced by

Buddhism; Japanese Buddhism has also been strongly influenced by

Shinto in turn. The most common and basic form of devotion involves

throwing a coin, or several, into a collection box, ringing a bell,

clapping one's hands, and contemplating one's wish or prayer silently.

The bell and hand clapping are meant to wake up or attract the

attention of the kami of the shrine, so that one's prayer may be heard.

Shinto prayers quite frequently consist of wishes or favors asked of 

the kami, rather than lengthy praises or devotions. Unlike in certain

other faiths, it is not considered irregular or inappropriate to ask favors

of the kami in this way, and indeed many shrines are associated with

particular favors, such as success on exams.

In addition, one may write one's wish on a small wooden tablet, called an ema, and leave it hanging at the

shrine, where the kami can read it. If the wish is granted, one may return to the shrine to leave another ema a

an act of thanksgiving.

Sikhism

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A Sikh holy man, doing

Sikh Prayer (Ardās)

The Ardās (Punjabi: ਅਰਦਾਸ ) is a Sikh prayer that is done before performing or after undertaking any

significant task; after reciting the daily Banis (prayers); or completion of a

service like the Paath (scripture reading/recitation), kirtan (hymn-singing)

program or any other religious program. In Sikhism, these prayers are also said

before and after eating. The prayer is a plea to God to support and help the

devotee with whatever he or she is about to undertake or has done.

The Ardas is usually always done standing up with folded hands. The

beginning of the Ardas is strictly set by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru GobindSingh. When it comes to conclusion of this prayer, the devotee uses words like

"Waheguru please bless me in the task that I am about to undertake" when

starting a new task or "Akal Purakh, having completed the hymn-singing, we

ask for your continued blessings so that we can continue with your memory and

remember you at all times", etc. The word "Ardās" is derived from Persian

word 'Arazdashat', meaning a request, supplication, prayer, petition or an

address to a superior authority.

Ardās is a unique prayer based on the fact that it is one of the few well-known prayers in the Sikh religion th

was not written in its entirety by the Gurus. The Ardās cannot be found within the pages of the Guru GranthSahib because it is a continually changing devotional text that has evolved over time in order for it to

encompass the feats, accomplishments, and feelings of all generations of Sikhs within its lines. Taking the

various derivation of the word Ardās into account, the basic purpose of this prayer is an appeal to Waheguru

for his protection and care, as well as being a plea for the welfare and prosperity of all mankind, and a means

for the Sikhs to thank Waheguru for all that he has done.[65]

Taoism

Taoism in its earliest form, before being influenced by the arrival of Buddhism in China, was a philosophy

rather than a religion. In Taoism there is no deity to pray to, there is only the Tao. In practice Taoists seek toconnect with, become one with and embody the Tao in everyday life. This often involves meditative practice

including martial, healing and other arts such as Fulu, which is the drawing and writing of supernatural

talismans.[66][67]

Taoism is often blended with other practices such as ancestor worship, which can give rise to prayer directed

at the ancestors or other deceased historical figures.

Other religions

Wicca

Wiccan prayers can include meditation, rituals and incantations. Prayers are seen as a form of communication

with the God and Goddess. This may include prayers for esbat and sabbat celebrations, for dinner, for pre-

dawn times or for your own or others safety, for healing or for the dead. [68]

Raelism

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In Raelism rites and practises vary from initiation ceremonies, to sensual meditation. An initiation ceremony

usually involves a Raelian putting water on the forehead of a new member. Such ceremonies are performed o

certain special days on the Raelian calender.[69] Sensual meditation techniques include breathing exercises an

various forms of erotic meditation.[70]

Eckankar

In Eckankar, one of the basic forms of prayer includes the singing of the word "HU" which is pronounced as"hue", the holy name of God. This can be done with closed eyes, and loud or silent. Practitioners may

experience the divine ECK or Holy Spirit.[71]

Animism

 Main articles: Animism and Shamanism

Although prayer in its literal sense is not used in animism, communication with the spirit world is vital to the

animist way of life. This is usually accomplished through a shaman who, through a trance, gains access to the

spirit world and then shows the spirits' thoughts to the people. Other ways to receive messages from the spirit

include using astrology or contemplating fortune tellers and healers.[72] The native religions in some parts of 

North, East and South Asia, America, Africa, and Oceania are often animistic.

America

 Main article: Aztec religion

The Aztec religion was not strictly animist. It had an ever increasing pantheon of deities, and the shamans

performed ritual prayer to these deities in their respective temples. These shamans made petitions to the prope

deities in exchange for a sacrifice offering: food, flowers, effigies, and animals, usually quail. But the largerthe thing required from the God the larger the sacrifice had to be, and for the most important rites one would

offer one's own blood; by cutting his ears, arms, tongue, thighs, chest or genitals, and often a human life; eith

warrior, slave, or even self-sacrifice.[73]

The Pueblo Indians are known to have used prayer sticks, that is, sticks with feathers attached as supplicatory

offerings. The Hopi Indians used prayer sticks as well, but they attached to it a small bag of sacred meat. [74]

Australia

 Main articles: Australian Aboriginal mythology and Dreamtime

In Australia, prayers to the "Great Wit" are performed by the "clever wapmen" and "clever women", or kadj

These Aboriginal shamans use maban or mabain, the material that is believed to give them their purported

magical powers.[75]

Neopaganism

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Praying Hands by Albrecht

Dürer showing the hand

position of a medieval

commendation ceremony.

Adherents to forms of modern Neopaganism pray to various gods. The most commonly worshiped and praye

to gods are those of Pre-Christian Europe, such as Celtic, Norse, or Graeco-Roman gods. Prayer can vary

from sect to sect, and with some (such as Wicca) prayer may also be associated with ritual magick.

Theurgy and Western esotericism

Practitioners of theurgy and western esotericism may practice a form of ritual which utilizes both pre-

sanctioned prayers and names of God, and prayers "from the heart" that, when combined, allows theparticipant to ascend spiritually, and in some instances, induce a trance in which God or other spiritual beings

may be realized. Very similar to hermetic qabala, and orthodox qabala, it is believed that prayer can influence

both the physical and non-physical worlds. The use of ritualistic signs and names are believed to be archetyp

in which the subconscious may take form as the Inner God, or another spiritual being, and the "prayer from

the heart" to be that spiritual force speaking through the participant.

Approaches to prayer

Direct petitions to GodFrom Biblical times to today, the most common form of prayer is to directly

appeal to God to grant one's requests. This in many ways is the simplest form

of prayer. Some have termed this the social approach to prayer.[76] In this

view, a person directly enters into God's rest, and asks for their needs to be

fulfilled. God listens to the prayer, and may so or not choose to answer in the

way one asks of him. This is the primary approach to prayer found in the

Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, most of the Church writings, and in

rabbinic literature such as the Talmud.

Educational approach

In this view, prayer is not a conversation. Rather, it is meant to inculcate

certain attitudes in the one who prays, but not to influence. Among Jews, this

has been the approach of Rabbenu Bachya, Rabbi Yehuda Halevi, Joseph

Albo, Samson Raphael Hirsch, and Joseph B. Soloveitchik. This view is

expressed by Rabbi Nosson Scherman in the overview to the Artscroll Siddur

(p. XIII).

Among Christian theologians, E.M. Bounds stated the educational purpose of prayer in every chapter of his

book, The Necessity of Prayer. Prayer books such as the Book of Common Prayer are both a result of this

approach and an exhortation to keep it.[77]

Rationalist approach

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In this view, the ultimate goal of prayer is to help train a person to focus on divinity through philosophy and

intellectual contemplation. This approach was taken by the Jewish scholar and philosopher Maimonides and

the other medieval rationalists; it became popular in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic intellectual circles, but

never became the most popular understanding of prayer among the laity in any of these faiths. In all three of 

these faiths today, a significant minority of people still hold to this approach.

Experiential approach

In this approach, the purpose of prayer is to enable the person praying to gain a direct experience of the

recipient of the prayer (or as close to direct as a specific theology permits). This approach is very significant in

Christianity and widespread in Judaism (although less popular theologically). In Eastern Orthodoxy, this

approach is known as hesychasm. It is also widespread in Sufi Islam, and in some forms of mysticism. It has

some similarities with the rationalist approach, since it can also involve contemplation, although the

contemplation is not generally viewed as being as rational or intellectual.

Transformative approach

In this approach, prayer enables an existential transformation in the person praying. The act of praying elicits

new kind of understanding which wasn't apparent before praying. The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaar

wrote that "the function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who

prays."

Prayer groups

A prayer group is a group of people that meet to pray together. These groups, formed mostly within Christian

congregations but occasionally among Muslim groups as well,[78] gather outside of the congregation's regula

worship service to pray for perceived needs, sometimes within the congregation, sometimes within their

religious group at large. However, these groups often pray also for the world around them, including peoplewho do not share their beliefs.

Many prayer group meetings are held according to a regular schedule, usually once a week. However,

extraordinary events, such as the September 11 attacks[79] or major disasters spawned a number of improvise

prayer group meetings. Prayer groups do not need to meet in person, and there are a vast array of single-

purpose prayer groups in the world.

Prayer healing

 Main article: Faith healing

Prayer is often used as a means of faith healing in an attempt to use religious or spiritual means to prevent

illness, cure disease, or improve health. Some attempt to heal by prayer, mental practices, spiritual insights, or

other techniques, claiming they can summon divine or supernatural intervention on behalf of the ill. Others

advocate that ill people may achieve healing through prayer performed by themselves. [80] According to the

varied beliefs of those who practice it, faith healing may be said to afford gradual relief from pain or sickness

or to bring about a sudden "miracle cure", and it may be used in place of, or in tandem with, conventional

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medical techniques for alleviating or curing diseases. Faith healing has been criticized on the grounds that

those who use it may delay seeking potentially curative conventional medical care. This is particularly

problematic when parents use faith healing techniques on children.

Efficacy of prayer healing

 Main article: Efficacy of prayer

In 1872, Francis Galton conducted a famous statistical experiment to determine whether prayer had a physicaeffect on the external environment. Galton hypothesized that if prayer was effective, members of the British

Royal family would live longer, given that thousands prayed for their wellbeing every Sunday. He therefore

compared longevity in the British Royal family with that of the general population, and found no difference.[

While the experiment was probably intended to satirize, and suffered from a number of confounders, it set the

precedent for a number of different studies, the results of which are contradictory.

Two studies claimed that patients who are being prayed for recover more quickly or more frequently although

critics have claimed that the methodology of such studies are flawed, and the perceived effect disappears whe

controls are tightened.[81] One such study, with a double-blind design and about 500 subjects per group, was

published in 1988; it suggested that intercessory prayer by born again Christians had a statistically significant

positive effect on a coronary care unit population.[4] Critics contend that there were severe methodological

problems with this study.[8] Another such study was reported by Harris et al.[5] Critics also claim that the 198

study was not fully double-blinded, and that in the Harris study, patients actually had a longer hospital stay in

the prayer group, if one discounts the patients in both groups who left before prayers began,[82] although the

Harris study did demonstrate the prayed for patients on average received lower course scores (indicating bette

recovery).

One of the largest randomized, blind clinical trials was a remote retroactive intercessory prayer study

conducted in Israel by Leibovici. This study used 3393 patient records from 1990–96, and blindly assigned

some of these to an intercessory prayer group. The prayer group had shorter hospital stays and duration of 

fever.[83]

Several studies of prayer effectiveness have yielded null results.[6] A 2001 double-blind study of the Mayo

Clinic found no significant difference in the recovery rates between people who were (unbeknownst to them)

assigned to a group that prayed for them and those who were not. [84] Similarly, the MANTRA study

conducted by Duke University found no differences in outcome of cardiac procedures as a result of prayer.[8

In another similar study published in the American Heart Journal in 2006,[86] Christian intercessory prayer

when reading a scripted prayer was found to have no effect on the recovery of heart surgery patients;

however, the study found patients who had knowledge of receiving prayer had slightly higher instances of complications than those who did not know if they were being prayed for or those who did not receive

prayer.[7][87] Another 2006 study suggested that prayer actually had a significant negative effect on the

recovery of cardiac bypass patients, resulting in more frequent deaths and slower recovery time for those

patient who received prayers.[88]

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Many believe that prayer can aid in recovery, not due to divine influence but due to psychological and

physical benefits. It has also been suggested that if a person knows that he or she is being prayed for it can be

uplifting and increase morale, thus aiding recovery. (See Subject-expectancy effect.) Many studies have

suggested that prayer can reduce physical stress, regardless of the god or gods a person prays to, and this may

be true for many worldly reasons. According to a study by Centra State Hospital, "the psychological benefits

of prayer may help reduce stress and anxiety, promote a more positive outlook, and strengthen the will to

live."[89] Other practices such as yoga, t'ai chi, and meditation may also have a positive impact on physical

and psychological health.

Others feel that the concept of conducting prayer experiments reflects a misunderstanding of the purpose of 

prayer. The previously mentioned American Heart Journal study published in the American Heart Journal

indicated that some of the intercessors who took part in it complained about the scripted nature of the prayers

that were imposed to them,[7] saying that this is not the way they usually conduct prayer:

Prior to the start of this study, intercessors reported that they usually receive information about thepatient’s age, gender and progress reports on their medical condition; converse with familymembers or the patient (not by fax from a third party); use individualized prayers of their ownchoosing; and pray for a variable time period based on patient or family request.

One scientific movement attempts to track the physical effects of prayer through neuroscience. Leaders in thi

movement include Andrew Newberg, an Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. In Newberg

brain scans, monks, priests, nuns and gurus alike have exceptionally focused attention and compassion sites.

This is a result of the frontal lobe of the brain’s engagement (Newberg, 2009). Newburg believes that anybod

can connect to the supernatural with practice. Those without religious affiliations benefit from the connection

to the metaphysical as well. Newberg also states that further evidence towards humans' need for metaphysica

relationships is that as science had increased spirituality has not decreased. Newburg believes that at the end o

the 18th century, when the scientific method began to consume the human mind, religion could have vanishe

However, two hundred years later, the perception of spirituality, in many instances, appears to be gaining in

strength (2009). Newberg's research also provides the connection between prayer and meditation and health.By understanding how the brain works during religious experiences and practices Newberg's research shows

that the brain changes during these practices allowing an understanding of how religion affects psychological

and physical health (2009). For example, brain activity during meditation indicates that people who frequentl

practice prayer or meditation experience lower blood-pressure, lower heart rates, decreased anxiety, and

decreased depression.[90]

See also

24-7 Prayer MovementAffirmative prayerAffirmations (New Age)Catholic prayersDaily Prayer for PeaceDevotional literatureGlossolalia ("speaking in tongues")HesychasmHo'oponopono

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Interior LifeJewish services and List of Jewish prayers and blessingsList of prayersMani stoneMantraMeditationMoment of silenceMystic prayer

National Day of Prayer (US)OrantPrayer beadsPrayer forms (Catholic Church)Prayer in LDS theology and practicePrayer in schoolPrayer wheelPrie-dieuShucklingSupplicationTibetan prayer flag

Trance

References and footnotes

1. ^ K. Masters, G. Spielmans, J. Goodson "Are there demonstrable effects of distant intercessory prayer? A meta-

analytic review." Annals of Behavioral Medicine 2006 Aug;32(1):21-6. [1]

2. ^ David R. Hodge, "A Systematic Review of the Empirical Literature on Intercessory Prayer" in  Research on

Social Work Practice March 2007 vol. 17 no. 2 174-187 doi:10.1177/1049731506296170

(http://dx.doi.org/10.1177%2F1049731506296170) Article abstract

(http://rsw.sagepub.com/content/17/2/174.abstract) Full length article(http://www.sagepub.com/vaughnstudy/articles/intervention/Hodge.pdf)

3. ^ a b Galton F. Statistical inquiries into the efficacy of prayer. Fortnightly Review 1872;68:125-35. Online versio

(http://www.abelard.org/galton/galton.htm).

4. ^ a b Byrd R. C., Positive therapeutic effects of intercessory prayer in a coronary care unit population. South Med

1988;81:826-9. PMID 3393937.

5. ^ a b Harris W. S., Gowda M., Kolb J. W., Strychacz C. P., Vacek J. L., Jones P. G., Forker A., O'Keefe J. H.,

McCallister B. D. A randomized, controlled trial of the effects of remote, intercessory prayer on outcomes in

 patients admitted to the coronary care unit. Arch Intern Med 1999;159:2273-8. PMID 10547166.

6. ^ a b O'Laoire S. An experimental study of the effects of distant, intercessory prayer on self-esteem, anxiety, and

depression. Altern Ther Health Med 1997;3:38-53. PMID 9375429.

7. ^a

 b

 c

Benson H, Dusek JA et al. "Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer (STEP) in cardiacbypass patients: a multicenter randomized trial of uncertainty and certainty of receiving intercessory prayer."

 American Heart Journal. 2006 April; 151(4): pp. 762–74.

8. ^ a b http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/gary_posner/godccu.html A critique of the San Francisco hospital

study on intercessory prayer and healing - Gary P. Posner, M.D.

9. ^ Littlebird, Sarracina (2008). "Sacred Movement: Dance as Prayer in the Pueblo Cultures of the American

Southwest" (http://dance.barnard.edu/sites/default/files/inline/sarracina_littlebird.pdf). Barnard College Departme

of Dance. Retrieved 11 October 2011.

10. ^ "The Whirling Dervishes of Rumi" (http://www.whirlingdervishes.org/whirlingdervishes.htm). Retrieved 12-4-

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2008.

11. ^ Omkarananda, Swami (11-12-2008). "How to pray" (http://www.omkarananda-

ashram.org/Publications/how_to_pray.htm). Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas. Retrieved 12-4-2008.

12. ^ "Jewish Worship and Prayer" (http://www.religionfacts.com/judaism/practices/worship_prayer.htm).  Religion

Facts. Retrieved 12-4-2008. This practice is known, in Yiddish, as shuckling.

13. ^ Avery, Chel. "Quaker Worship" (http://www.quakerinfo.org/quakerism/worship.html). Quaker Information

Center. Retrieved 12-4-2008.

14. ^ Stephens, Ferris J. (1950). Ancient Near Eastern Texts. Princeton. pp. 391–92.

15. ^ Zaleski, Carol; Zaleski, Philip (2006). Prayer: A History. Boston: Mariner Books. pp. 24–25. ISBN 0-618-

77360-6.

16. ^ Erickson, Millard J. (1998). Christian theology. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House. ISBN 0-8010-2182-0.

17. ^ a b Knight, Kevin. "Prayer" (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12345b.htm). New Advent. Retrieved 2008-10-

06.

18. ^ See, for example, James 5:14 (http://bibref.hebtools.com/?book=%20James&verse=5:14&src=NIV)

19. ^ Scheckel, Roger J. (January 2004). "The Angelus"

(http://web.archive.org/web/20080623093915/http://www.mariancatechist.com/html/spiritualdevelopment/prayer/s

nctifyingyourdaywiththeangelus.htm). The Marian Catechists. Archived from the original

(http://www.mariancatechist.com/html/spiritualdevelopment/prayer/sanctifyingyourdaywiththeangelus.htm) on

2008-06-23. Retrieved 2008-10-06.

20. ^ "Buddhist Art" (http://www.pacificasiamuseum.org/buddhism/html/essay4.htm). Pacific Asia Museum. 2003.

Retrieved 2008-10-06.21. ^ See, for example, McCarty, Julie (2008). "Faith - Grandma's prayer candle"

(http://www.catholicdigest.com/article/grandmas-prayer-candle). Bayard Inc. Retrieved 2008-10-06.

22. ^ a b Emerick, Yahiya (2002). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Islam (http://www.idiotsguides.com). Indianapolis

IN: Alpha Books. pp. 127–28. ISBN 0-02-864233-3.

23. ^ Rayor, Diane. "The Homeric Hymns" (http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/9232/9232.intro.php). University o

California Press. Retrieved 2009-01-14.

24. ^ "Religio Romana" (http://www.novaroma.org/religio_romana/posture.html). Nova Roma. Retrieved 2009-01-14

25. ^ Frederic de Forest Allen,  Remnants of Early Latin (Boston: Ginn & Heath 1880 and Ginn & Co 1907).

26. ^ Cato's Mars Prayer, found in De Agri Cultura, translated at [1]

(http://www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/lrc/iedocctr/ie-texts/Mars-prayer.html)

27. ^ Translation by Bellows. (http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/poe/poe25.htm)28. ^ Grundy, Stephan (1998). "Freyja and Frigg" as collected in Billington, Sandra. The Concept of the Goddess

(http://books.google.com/books?id=IoW9yhkrFJoC&printsec=frontcover) , p. 60. Routledge ISBN 0-415-19789-9

29. ^ Hollander, Lee (trans.) (1955). The saga of the Jómsvíkings, p. 100. University of Texas Press ISBN 0-292-

77623-3

30. ^ Gordon, R.K. (1962). Anglo-Saxon Poetry. Everyman's Library #794. M. Dent & Sons, LTD.

31. ^ Lambdin, Laura C and Robert T. (2000).  Encyclopedia of Medieval Literature, p. 227. Greenwood Publishing

Group ISBN 0-313-30054-2

32. ^ Wells, C. J." (1985). German, a Linguistic History to 1945: A Linguistic History to 1945, p 51. Oxford

University Press ISBN 0-19-815795-9

33. ^ http://www.ou.org/torah/article/why_tefilah_doesn

34. ^ Jewish Prayer (http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/862308/jewish/Jewish-Prayer.htm) fromChabad.org

35. ^ The Kabbalah of Prayer (http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/114937/jewish/The-Kabbalah.htm) on

Chabad.org

36. ^ a b  Examining Religions: Christianity Foundation Edition by Anne Geldart 1999 ISBN 0-435-30324-4 page 10

37. ^ See John 16:23, 26; John 14:13; John 15:16

38. ^ Parry, Ken; David Melling (editors) (1999). The Blackwell Dictionary of Eastern Christianity ISBN 0-631-

23203-6 page 230

39. ^ Catholic Encyclopedia http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12775a.htm

40. ^ Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed, 1989

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41. ^ "Christianity - Pentecostalism" (http://www.abc.net.au/religion/stories/s820631.htm). Australian Broadcasting

Company. Retrieved 12-5-2008.

42. ^ Acts 2:1-13 31 (http://bibref.hebtools.com/?book=Acts%202:1-13&verse=31&src=!)

43. ^ George Barton Cutten, Speaking with Tongues Historically and Psychologically Considered , Yale University

Press, 1927.

44. ^ Goodman, Felicitas D., Speaking in Tongues: A Cross-Cultural Study in Glossolalia. University of Chicago

Press, 1972.

45. ^ Hine, Virginia H.: 'Pentecostal Glossolalia toward a Functional Interpretation.'  Journal for the Scientific Study o

 Religion 8, 2: (1969) 211–26: quote on p. 211

46. ^ Samarin, William J., Tongues of Men and Angels: The Religious Language of Pentecostalism. Macmillan, New

York, 1972, quote on p. 73

47. ^ Hine, Virginia H.: 'Pentecostal Glossolalia toward a Functional Interpretation.'  Journal for the Scientific Study o

 Religion 8, 2: (1969) 211–26: quote on p. 213

48. ^ Spanos, Nicholas P.; Hewitt, Erin C.: Glossolalia: 'A test of the 'trance' and psychopathology hypotheses.'

 Journal of Abnormal Psychology: 1979 Aug Vol 88(4) 427–34.

49. ^ Mary Baker Eddy, "Prayer," in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Boston, Trustees Under the Will

of Mary Baker Eddy, 1934 [etc.]pp. 1-17

50. ^ "Is there no intercessory prayer?" (http://www.christianscience.org/QAIsthereintercesprayer.html). Retrieved

2007-10-13.

51. ^ Muslim cultures today: a reference guide (http://books.google.co.uk/books?

id=UlaBw3MUGBEC&pg=PA91&dq=shia+pray+3+times&hl=en&ei=urkrTeT9MM6IhQeAwrydCQ&sa=X&oi=ook_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CE0Q6AEwBg#v=onepage&q&f=false) By Kathryn M. Coughlin, p. 91

52. ^ Smith, P. (1999).  A Concise Encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith. Oxford, UK: Oneworld Publications. pp. 274–7

ISBN 1-85168-184-1.

53. ^ See for example http://www.centreguephel.org/prieres.html (French)

54. ^  Ÿ       i      ‚       Ö      }               ‚       Ö      5       (http://www.dizang.org/dzfm/qt21.htm)

55. ^  Ÿ       i      (       Ö      }              f       (http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/avalokiteshvara-ommanipadmehum/article?mid=141)

56. ^  m       ¿               B       »               Ì       K               ‚       Ö      5       (http://home.netvigator.com/~jalee/budd_text01.html)

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64. ^ Stephen Jacobs (2010),  Hinduism Today : An Introduction, Continuum International Publishing Group, p. 44

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68. ^ The Wiccan Prayer Book: Daily, Mark Ventimiglia - 2006

69. ^ Palmer, Susan J., Aliens Adored. Rutgers University Press, 2004

70. ^ Raël, Sensual Meditation. Tagman Press, 2002.

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75. ^ Elkin, Adolphus P. (1973).  Aboriginal Men of High Degree: Initiation and Sorcery in the World's Oldest 

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77. ^ Bounds, Edward McKendree (1907). The Necessity of Prayer. AGES Software. ISBN 0-8010-0659-7.

78. ^ "Islamicprayergroup.com" (http://islamicprayergroup.com). 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-30.

79. ^ "World Wide Prayer Group" (http://www.worldwideprayergroup.org). Retrieved 2008-10-30.

80. ^ "Pell adamant prayer cures cancer" (http://www.theage.com.au/national/pell-adamant-prayer-cures-cancer-

20091221-l8fy.html). The Age (Melbourne). 2009-12-21.

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82. ^ Tessman I and Tessman J "Efficacy of Prayer: A Critical Examination of Claims," Skeptical Inquirer,

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83. ^ Leibovici L. Effects of remote, retroactive intercessory prayer on outcomes in patients with bloodstream

infection: randomized controlled trial.  BMJ 2001;323:1450-1. doi:10.1136/bmj.323.7327.1450

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84. ^ Aviles JM, Whelan SE, Hernke DA, Williams BA, Kenny KE, O'Fallon WM, Kopecky SL. Intercessory prayerand cardiovascular disease progression in a coronary care unit population: a randomized controlled trial.  Mayo Cl

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86. ^ Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer (STEP) in cardiac bypass patients: A multicenter

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87. ^ The Deity in the DataWhat the latest prayer study tells us about God (http://www.slate.com/id/2139373/)

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External linksScientific study of effect of prayer on recovery of patients (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/23/AR2006032302177.html/)

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Prayer&oldid=561235545"

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