Pagan Prayer

Do pagans pray? Should they? What’s the difference between praying and a spell or ritual? These are some of the questions I’ve been thinking about lately and I wanted to share my thoughts with you.

Although my dad is Jewish and my mom is Roman Catholic, I was not raised to pray. Neither of my parents were very active participants in their religion so although I was taught the Lord’s Prayer; I wasn’t taught to say it every night. For short bursts of time while I was contemplating the role of religion in my life I would say it and/or “pray” to “God.” However other than that, I never really learned what praying was and how it worked.

When I decided Paganism was the correct religion for me I figured my praying days were over, as short as they were. I was under the understanding that Pagans didn’t pray. Praying was asking the divine to do things for us while performing spells and rituals was doing something about a situation myself, or so I thought anyway. I scoffed at people who prayed for deliverance from difficult situations. I believed them to be lazy, trying to get someone else (a deity) to solve their problems for them. I was wrong. That’s right, read that again, I was wrong. I admit that now.

There is such a thing as Pagan Prayer. I now believe there is nothing wrong with talking to the divine (what praying really is) and asking for help with your problems, AS LONG AS you also do what you can for the situation and give back something in return. Just as when doing a spell to get a job it’s important to also put out resumes and contact people, so to is it important to do those when you pray for a job. There is nothing wrong with asking the divine (whomever that may be for you) to help you, as long as you are willing to give back something in return. I don’t mean promising something and then not keeping your word when things go your way, nor promising something you couldn’t possibly do, (like never arguing with your spouse again, ever.)

When I pray, I have a conversation with the divine, so that not only am I asking for help, but I’m also working out my problems as I talk. I often come to an epiphany while discussing things with the divine. Sometimes when I pray, I don’t ask anything of the divine, I just go over things out loud instead of in my head. Sometimes the divine pops an idea into my head or shows me an error in my thinking and sometimes not. I also promise that if things do work out in my favour, that I’ll do a devotion or ritual of thanks, and I do it.

So what’s the different then between a spell or ritual and just praying? Well as I see it at least, a spell or ritual is using both my energy and the divine’s as well as that of any correspondences I use to try to sway things my way. When I perform a spell or ritual I’m trying to tip the scales in my favour, (or the favour of the person I’m performing the spell or ritual about.) When I pray, I’m asking the divine to tip things in my favour. However I no longer thing this is the lazy way out. By doing something in return, I’m showing the divine that I’m serious and that I’m willing to work for what I want.

So what’s the best way to go about praying to the divine? Well there are some books and websites out there that have prayer and devotions already set out for you but personally I think the best way is to just close your eyes, relax, and have a heart to heart with the divine. Then listen carefully, and follow through with what you promise.

author: Callista