The Act of Prayer

Praying has many different forms.  Prayer may be done privately and individually, or it may be done corporately in the presence of fellow believers.  Some outward acts that sometimes accompany prayer are: ringing a bell; burning incense or paper; lighting a candle or candles;  making the sign of the cross.

A variety of body postures may be assumed, often with specific meaning associated with them: standing; sitting; kneeling; prostrate on the floor; eyes opened; eyes closed; hands folded or clasped; hands upraised; and others.  Prayers may be recited from memory, read from a book of prayers, or composed spontaneously as they are prayed. They may be said, chanted, or sung.  They may be with musical accompaniment or not.  There may be a time of outward silence while prayers are offered mentally.  Often, there are prayers to fit specific occasions, such as the blessing of a meal, the birth or death of a loved one, other significant events in the life of a believer, or days of the year that have special religious significance.