Witchvox Article

Author: Silverwolf Sanctuary
Posted: February 7th. 2010
Times Viewed: 2,552

Our culture has a pretty strong colloquial understanding of what “prayer” means. An unfortunate connotation of prayer is ‘entreaty’, which suggests a form of implied beggary resorted to by the desperate or emotionally dependent. In addition, there is an erroneous yet persistent implication that “The Big Three” (Christians, Jews, and Muslims) corner the market on prayer and it can only be earnestly offered to the God of Abraham.

Perhaps a little clarification on the word itself is needed:

prayer [prair] –noun
1.A devout petition to God, gods, or an object of worship.
2.A spiritual communion with God, gods or an object of worship, as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, or confession

For the sake of this discussion, I’ve chosen the second definition, as it appears to be more comprehensive, acknowledging that prayer is more than merely a petition.

It often astounds me that members of conventional religions tend to think that Pagans do not pray. Prayer, by definition, is an act of spiritual communion with the Divine and that is not restricted to doctrine or creed; it only maintains a requisite belief in some kind of Divine power.

Every Pagan rite and ritual, large or small, can be said to be filled with prayer from beginning to end, as they are undeniably intended as spiritual communion with Divine energies. In fact many Pagans will report that they pray rather frequently, not just when attending ritual. Whether it is to a specific god or goddess of innumerable pantheons, to the Fates, or to a Universal Divine, it matters not – the connection is the same.

Prayer is not always a memorized string of words spoken in specific sequence and meter that can be replicated time and time again. It may be offered in words, but also in music, gestures or in silent contemplation.

Prayer may take the form of a structured and repeated chant or flow unfettered and spontaneous in streaming images from the subconscious. Works of art can also be construed as prayer, where the designer offers a part of his or her creative self as a devotion to the Divine. It may even emerge in trances and dreams, completely bypassing waking awareness. Prayer may be individual or communal, private or public. It can be planned and with particular purpose, or burst forth with spontaneous inspiration.

Prayer means countless different things to different people. Intention, desire and expectation all personalize the experience as well as its spiritual significance. However, at its most basic level, prayer is the manifestation of hope in human beings, that there is something beyond us. It is the collective desire that this force is intimately involved in our fates, can offer guidance in our lives, and is deserving of gratitude or adoration. This is something that is universal among people with faith in any Divine, regardless of denomination. Without this belief prayer is empty and meaningless.

Pagans often feel that taking responsibility for your own wants and needs is integral to their chosen spiritual path. Paganism frequently embodies personal empowerment and individual culpability and many Pagans hold these ideals close to their hearts. However numerous Pagans also embrace the Divine as inherent and transcendent. In so doing practitioners accept a sacred duality, both acknowledging their own sacrosanct nature, as well as honoring the Divine outside the individual self.

Praying to an extrinsic Divine does not mean relinquishing free will or accountability to said power, but demonstrates the ability to recognize and accept a sacred balance – light and dark, male and female, internal and external Divine.

There’s a widespread misconception that prayer always involves asking for something, hence perpetuating what many see as a distasteful undertone of spiritual beggary. Many people fail to recognize that it can also be a tribute, a thanksgiving, or simply the joy of communing with the Divine. The purpose for prayer is highly personal and varies by need and individual intent.

Some pray to seek transcendental guidance or spiritual enlightenment. Others pray to offer reverence or to express gratitude for Divine gifts. Yes, there are times when prayers are in the form of personal supplication, while in other instances we seek aid for someone beside ourselves. Sometimes we pray merely to build our relationship with the Divine, for no other purpose than to feel close to a power that fills us with peace, love and joy.

“I’m a Pagan. I don’t pray.”

I’ve heard it all before. So many spiritual disciplines – the Charge of the Goddess, lighting a fire to Sol, calling quarters, an ethereal chant, sending a whispered desire out to the universe, meditation in a silent grove – they’re all prayers. How can they not be? They are all designed to illuminate some universal truth, to bring us closer to the Divine. I’m a Pagan and I pray, every day.

I’ve been asked over the years, usually by those of Christian persuasion, if I would be offended if they prayed [to the God of Abraham] for me. Why would that affront me? It doesn’t matter what doctrine the offer comes from. I’m a firm advocate of the idea that prayer is an act of love, a powerful sign of compassion and an earnest desire for enrichment in my life. How can that be distasteful?

I pray for you….

We tune the hearthsong of our souls, loving words upon our lips…
life-giving songs upon our hearts…
light-bringing praises upon our eyes…
The music of comfort resounds in the souls of all beings,
Preserving them in peace,
As the sun and moon renew themselves each cycle.

We give thanks to the Wise Powers of the Universe that have protected us this day, this season, this year; may their blessings attend us wherever we go, and a special blessing to those who have touched our lives, who are now in need.

We look to the unfulfilled places in our lives - may our Teachers show us how best to prepare these as fields where we may sow seeds of hope. We ask, both for ourselves and others, that self-blame and disappointment disappear, that self-doubt be transformed by self-confidence, hopefulness, and an awareness of our potential and love.

Blessed be!

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