Prayer

Prayer is a religious act in which a person asks, requests, or seeks something specific from God, a deity, or a spiritual power in which they believe. It differs from praise and thanksgiving in that its purpose is direct petition: for health, assistance, forgiveness of sins, rain, or protection.

Prayer is among the most widespread religious practices in the world. It is found in Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and many traditional belief systems. The forms vary: spoken aloud or silent, individual or communal, spontaneous or from written texts read aloud.

General features

Prayer is often accompanied by physical gestures that signal humility: raising the hands or clasping them, bowing the head, standing still, or placing the face on the ground. Places where prayer occurs include homes, places of worship such as mosques and churches, and natural sites regarded as sacred by communities.

Islam

In Islam, prayer is known as duca (supplication). It differs from salat, the obligatory ritual prayer performed at set times in a prescribed manner; duca may be performed at any time and in any language. Many supplications transmitted from the Prophet Muhammad are recorded in hadith collections and recited when eating, traveling, sleeping, or facing hardship. Prayers typically begin with praise of God and often conclude with blessings upon the Prophet.

Other religions

In Christianity, prayer is a form of worship, and intercessory prayer on behalf of others is a prominent practice. Judaism has liturgical texts recited daily. In Hindu and Buddhist practice, petitions are often linked to offerings, ritual actions, or texts recited repeatedly. In Somali customary contexts, prayers for rain and prayers for the sick may take communal form with religious leadership.