In a world that is increasingly noisy, both literally and metaphorically, the art of deep listening has become a rare commodity. We’re often so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that we forget to pause, breathe, and listen—to ourselves, to others, and perhaps to something greater. That’s where the practice of prayer comes in.
Some people corollate prayer with God, a deity, or spiritual rituals. Others relate it to meditation and yoga.
Yet, at its core, prayer is a method of tuning inward for personal answers, guidance, or trust in the flow of life events.
Now, before you click away thinking this isn’t for you because you’re not religious, hear me out. Prayer isn’t just for the devout; it’s for everyone.
While prayer is typically discussed in religious and spiritual circles, it can be a powerful tool and meaningful experience even for non-believers.
Yes, even atheists.
Stick around as we delve into the various ways prayer is beneficial and explore how different cultures and religions view this age-old practice.
First, more on what it is.
What is Prayer?
Prayer is the act of talking within oneself where you’re directed towards that which you have hope for. It is an inner dialogue or conversation that aims to center oneself towards peace.
But it doesn’t have to include words. It’s simply an inner relationship towards the greatness of being!
The religious do this through talking to God. Others, such as meditators, do it through intentional silence and being still.
Those who point their prayer towards a godhead or divine object such as Christ or The Great Spirit will address them in the prayer and believes that the force of their god listens to and receives their prayer.
If it sounds weird to talk to yourself, we actually do it all the time subconsciously. Thinking is just that, really.
How many times throughout your day do you think something like, “Remember to go to the PTA meeting”? Or, “I need to make sure not to talk to (insert person) in that tone again.” And then you have an inner conversation with yourself about it.
In prayer, it might be, “Give my friend strength to make it through the death of her loved one,” or, “Guide me in making the decision to leave my job.”
The point is, what we’re doing in prayer is intentionally pointing ourselves towards the holy. The root of the word means to “be preserved whole or intact, that cannot be transgressed or violated.” We’re sort of asking for being tethered to that again.
Thus, prayer is to sit in communion with the unknown; surrendering to the awareness of the great mystery of life itself and developing an inner relationship to it for the purpose of experiencing wholeness of the self.
“When our attention is focused inwardly at the depth of our being in the context of the wholeness of our life, resources for a profound knowledge of life become accessible to us.”
Ira progoff, the intensive journal method
Prayer Throughout Religions and Cultures
Prayer is a part of nearly every world religion. I like to think that when there’s similarity in a feature like this in the world’s cultures, there’s something fundamental about it to our human psyches; that it’s a collective, connective experience.
Perhaps deep within our minds is a yearning to not be alone in the universe. Or, there’s a deep inner need to believe we are heard by it and to be in relationship to it.
Maybe prayer developed as a way to fulfill our mind’s desire to acknowledge that we ultimately don’t know why we’re here. And to to connect with the humility and profound sense of mystery involved in that awareness.
In this way, to pray is to be humble against the greatness of being; to lay ones certainties at the feet of the uncertain and to ask for clarity or guidance.
Thus, to see how cultures from around the world have brought prayer into their religion is a fascinating peek at a unifying facet of humanity. Let’s briefly look at how prayer is uses in a several major world religions.
“The collective unconscious contains the whole spiritual heritage of mankind’s evolution born anew in the brain structure of every individual.”
carl jung
For further in-depth discussion of what it means to be spiritual, check out another post on it:
Buddhism
In Buddhism, prayer often takes the form of meditation and mindfulness. It is less about asking for specific outcomes and more about cultivating a state of inner peace and enlightenment. Often, Buddhists pray for others through a practice called “Loving Kindness” as exemplified in this prayer:
Buddhists might use prayer beads, called “mala,” to aid in their recitations and meditations. Chanting mantras, such as the famous “Om Mani Padme Hum,” is another form of prayer that seeks to invoke blessings and compassion. This translates to, “Hail to the jewel in the lotus,” the lotus symbolizing tranquility and happiness.
Islam
In Islam, prayer, or “Salah,” is one of the Five Pillars and is performed five times a day. It is a way to connect with Allah and serves as a reminder of the divine in everyday life. The physical postures in Salah, including standing, bowing, and prostrating, signify humility and submission to the divine.
Additionally, the Friday congregational prayer, “Jumu’ah,” holds special significance, bringing the community together in worship.
Catholicism
In Catholicism, prayer is a way to communicate with God and the Saints. It often involves reciting specific prayers like the “Our Father” or the “Hail Mary,” and it can be both a personal and communal experience.
Catholics believe in the power of intercessory prayer, where one prays on behalf of another. The Rosary, a series of prayers recited with the aid of beads, is a meditative practice that reflects on the mysteries of Christ’s life.
Many Catholics also believe in contemplative prayer, as summarized by renowned Catholic priest, Father Richard Rohr:
Prayer is not primarily saying words or thinking thoughts. It is, rather, a life stance. It’s a way of living in the Presence, living in awareness of the Presence, and even of enjoying the Presence. Fully contemplative people are more than aware of Divine Presence; they trust, allow, and delight in it. They “stand” on it!
Father Richard Rohr, center for action and contemplation
Judaism
In Judaism, prayer, or “Tefillah,” is a way to connect with God and seek guidance. It can be done in various settings, including synagogues and homes, and often involves the recitation of texts from the Torah.
The “Shema,” a declaration of faith, and the “Amidah,” a series of blessings, are central to Jewish prayer services. On the Sabbath and festivals, special prayers and songs are added to the regular liturgy, enriching the spiritual experience.
Native American Religions
In Native American religions, prayer is deeply connected to the Earth and its elements. It often involves rituals, dances, and the use of sacred objects to connect with the spiritual world.
These prayers are deeply rooted in the rhythms of nature, with ceremonies often corresponding to the changing seasons or significant life events. Sacred spaces, like the sweat lodge, serve as places of purification, healing, and communion with the spiritual realm.
“Teach me how to trust my heart, my mind, my intuition, my inner knowing, the senses of my body, the blessings of my spirit. Teach me to trust these things
lakota prayer
so that I may enter my sacred space and love beyond my fear, and thus walk in balance with the passing of each glorious sun.”
By understanding how various cultures and religions approach prayer, we can gain a more rounded view of its universal appeal. We can start to wonder if prayer is deeply rooted in our minds needs.
Next, let’s explore what prayer can look like for atheists and how they too can benefit from the practice of it.
Prayer and Non-Believers
Oftentimes, prayer is latched to the concept of speaking to a God, deities, or other invisible higher powers or forces who then are supposed to listen to one’s prayer and consider it. This, to atheists, can be a real turn-off as they don’t believe in that.
However, this doesn’t have to be the case. If we think of prayer simply as a meaningful, creative way to attune one’s mind to hope, love, compassion, and to positive potential, it takes the religious stigma off of it and returns it to an empowering act within one’s psyche.
Prayer then becomes a means by which to harness inspiration or crystalize one’s beautiful life vision. It can be a valuable expression of one’s hopes, dreams, and desires.
As someone who sometimes feels spiritually homeless and is unsure where the belief in God fits into her life (raised Catholic, went on a New Age binge in my 20s and now agnostic at best), I think of prayer as a way to knead the heart into goodness; that prayer nurtures one’s heart towards love and kindness.
Thus, prayer is accessible to even non-believers. Jordan Peterson, psychologist and philosopher, proports the notion that even if you don’t believe in God, it’s wise to live as though there is one as it’s instructive to guiding behavior. This is because “God” ought to propel you towards your best possible self, or the ideals of good character. Food for thought!
Next, let’s look at the benefits of prayer.
“The meaning of life cannot be told; it has to happen to a person.”
ira progoff
The Benefits of Prayer
Prayer has a multitude of benefits, both psychological and physiological. Prayer helps calm a person physically and emotionally and can trigger feelings of compassion, love, and goodwill towards self and the world.
Oftentimes, the stress of life makes us feel out of control, or makes us realize what little control over life events we really have. Prayer is a method by which we can alleviate stress because we “give it to God,” or give ourselves permission to let it go.
In other words, prayer is a ritual where we unload our mental hang ups about our problems and get back to the present moment without worry.
Regardless of your beliefs in the divine actually helping you, this ritual helps us shift from tension and worry to calmer, more stable mental frames of mind.
But beyond this, prayer offers a space for reflection, gratitude, and a sense of connection—whether it’s to a higher power, the universe, or just your inner self.
Prayer Can Be Powerful
Don’t underestimate the power of a simple prayer. Whether you’re asking for guidance, seeking comfort, or expressing gratitude, the act of can be transformative. It can shift your focus from what you lack to what you have, from what worries you to what brings you peace.
Not only that, but prayer is an innate act of being vulnerable. Though often a private thing, it is opening yourself up emotionally- peering into your heart and confessing or proclaiming what it wants and what is true to it.
And that is strength because, as Brene Brown says, “When we dare to drop the armor that protects us from feeling vulnerable, we open ourselves to the experiences that bring purpose and meaning to our lives.”
Additionally, some believe prayer is a pathway to dream-life manifestation, as well; that it’s a form of visualizing your ideals and what you want in life, which puts you more likely to be on the path of attaining it.
For more on Visualization, check out my post on it here:
So, even if you don’t believe in a higher power, the act of articulating your thoughts can bring clarity, a sense of purpose, and point you in the direction of your goals.
How To Pray
So, how does one pray? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this, as the practice is deeply personal and varies from person to person. You can follow traditional religious paths, create your own, or even just sit in silence, focusing on your breath. The key is to find a method that feels authentic to you.
If you’re new to this, start small. Dedicate just five minutes a day to this practice and see how it feels. You might be surprised at the impact it can have on your day-to-day life.
You may feel awkward at first, a self-conscious sort of embarrassment about talking to, or within, yourself in such a specifically vulnerable way. Just remember to be sincere, be kind to yourself, and know that it’s a private thing you don’t have to tell anyone about.
You might start off with a simple bedtime prayer where you give thanks for the day, reflect on pros and cons, and set positive intentions for the next day. There’s no judgment on how you pray. Just begin and find your own way.
Perhaps do some research on prayer and find examples that feel intuitively right to you that you can emulate.
Best Times to Pray
While you can pray at any time, some moments naturally lend themselves to this practice. Early morning, just as you wake up, is a wonderful time to set the tone for the day.
Similarly, right before bed can be a peaceful time to reflect on the day’s events and express gratitude.
Other opportune moments might include before a meal, during a stressful situation, or even while you’re out for a walk. The point is to make it a habit, something as natural as brushing your teeth.
Kids and Prayer: How To Teach Without Indoctrinating
If you’re a parent, you might be wondering how to introduce the concept of prayer to your children without imposing a particular set of beliefs on them. The key is to present it as a tool for self-reflection and peace, rather than a strict religious obligation.
Teach them the different ways people pray and let them explore what feels right for them. Encourage questions and be open to discussions. This way, you empower them to find their own path, whatever that may be.
As mentioned before, I believe prayer works on our hearts. It helps get out the cynical or negative thoughts in us and guides our hearts towards goodwill and love. When we teach a child to pray, we’re giving them a gift to slough off their own little mental/emotional baggage and prime their hearts towards kindness.
For a long time, I didn’t pray with my child. At his age 3, I started praying at bedtime with him. The eagerness, sincerity and want of him to do it showed me that it does indeed bring a gift to the child. It gives them trust and faith that this big life can carry them and that there’s a basic goodness to believe in.
Examples of Prayer
To give you an idea of the different forms prayer can take, here are a few examples:
- Gratitude Prayer: “Thank you for this day, for all the opportunities and challenges it brings.”
- Mindfulness Prayer: Focusing on your breath, silently repeat, “Inhale peace, exhale stress.”
- Traditional, Religious: The “Our Father” in Christianity, or the “Fatiha” in Islam.
- Affirmation: “I am strong, I am capable, I am worthy.”
- Silent Reflection: Simply sitting in silence, focusing on the present moment.
- The Contemplative or Centering Way: For 10-20 minutes or so a day, in contemplative prayer, one sits and lets go of all thought and expectations and returns to love and being present in the moment, where one can meet God.
Conclusion
Whether you’re religious, spiritual, or neither, the practice of prayer offers a simple yet profound way to connect with yourself and the world around you. It’s not about dogma or doctrine; it’s about finding a moment of peace in this chaotic world—a moment to listen deeply, to yourself and perhaps to something greater.
So, why not give it a try? You have nothing to lose and a whole lot of peace and clarity to gain.