| Many of us communicate with God. Some choose | | | | inferior. Furthermore, if you think you are |
| to say they pray, while others use the word, | | | | separate, then God is outside of you, and not |
| meditate. Is there a difference, and if so, what is | | | | within. Each individual meaning of the word prayer |
| it? | | | | validates this premise. |
| Prayer | | | | Prayer |
| - Word is derived from the Latin word precari, | | | | - Conveys an appeal, as in hearing a case before |
| meaning: | | | | a superior court; |
| - to entreat (which means to beg, or passionately | | | | - Is a plea for understanding, as plea is the term |
| request); or | | | | used by a defendant in answer to a charge (you |
| - ask. | | | | can only be charged if you are not equal); |
| Webster's dictionary definition provides the | | | | - Is an urgent request, or politely asking for |
| following additional definitions: | | | | something to be given or done, as would be the |
| - ask earnestly; | | | | case if something is outside of you; |
| - petition (which means to appeal or request from | | | | - Is a desire, a craving for something, as |
| a higher authority); or | | | | determined if something is missing; |
| - commune with God. | | | | - Expresses a hope, something that somebody |
| Meditate | | | | wants to happen or to be true; or |
| - Word is derived from the Latin word meditari, | | | | - Communicates a wish, which is a longing for |
| meaning: | | | | something to be true. |
| - to consider; | | | | However, each of the explanations for meditation |
| - contemplate; | | | | is a representation of an action by a person who |
| - ponder; | | | | has taken a neutral approach to spirituality. If you |
| - think; | | | | are part of the whole, and not separate, then you |
| - practice; | | | | can be neither inferior nor superior. Furthermore, |
| - deliberate; | | | | everything, including the light of God is within. |
| - consider; | | | | Meditation |
| - intend; or | | | | - Is consideration, which weighs all possibilities |
| - speak to oneself. | | | | before deciding (as would be the case if you have |
| Webster's dictionary definition provides the | | | | a neutral opinion of something); |
| following additional definitions: | | | | - Expresses reflection, a mirror image or likeness, |
| - consider thoughtfully; | | | | determined if you are equal to the spirit of God, |
| - deep thought; or | | | | or if that spirit is within; or |
| - given to reflection. | | | | - Is a conversation with oneself, indicating an |
| While people may agree that both prayer and | | | | action without the help of another. |
| meditation are spiritual acts, you can definitely | | | | The act of meditation is simply focusing one's |
| discern a distinct difference between the two | | | | attention on something. You can make the same |
| words. Specifically, the definitions for prayer are | | | | analogy for prayer. The differences between the |
| characterizations of acts done by someone who | | | | two lie in one's understanding of the connection to |
| believes they are separate from God. If you think | | | | the spirit of God. It is your choice; choose wisely. |
| you are separate, you can assume you are | | | | |