Many of us communicate with God. Some choose to say theypray, while others use the word,meditate. Is there a difference, and if so, what is it?

Prayer

• Word is derived from the Latin wordprecari, meaning:
  • to entreat (which means to beg, or passionately request); or
  • ask.
• Webster's dictionary definition  provides the followingadditionaldefinitions:
  • ask earnestly;
  • petition (which means to appeal or request from a higher authority); or
  • commune with God.

Meditate

• Word is derived from the Latin wordmeditari, meaning:
  • to consider;
  • contemplate;
  • ponder;
  • think;
  • practice;
  • deliberate;
  • intend; or
  • speak to oneself.
• Webster's dictionary definition provides the followingadditionaldefinitions:
  • consider thoughtfully;
  • deep thought; or
  • given to reflection.

While people may agree that both prayer and meditation are spiritual acts, you can definitely discern a distinct difference between the two words.

Specifically,the definitions forprayerare characterizations of acts done by someone who believes they are separate from God.If you think you are separate, you can assume you are inferior. Furthermore, if you think you are separate, then God is outside of you, and not within. Each individual meaning of the wordprayervalidates this premise.

Prayer

• Conveys an appeal, as in hearinga case before a superior court;
• Is a plea for understanding, as plea is the term used by a defendantin answer to a charge(you can only be charged if you are not equal);
• Is an urgent request, or politely asking for something to be given or done, as would be the caseif something is outside of you;
• Is a desire, a craving for something, as determinedif something is missing;
• Expresses a hope, something that somebodywants to happenor to be true; or
• Communicates a wish, which isa longing for something to be true.

However,each of the explanations formeditationis a representation of an action by a person who has taken a neutral approach to spirituality.  If you are part of the whole, and not separate, then you can be neither inferior nor superior. Furthermore, everything, including the light of God is within.

Meditation

• Is consideration, whichweighs all possibilities before deciding(as would be the case if you have a neutral opinion of something);
• Expresses reflection,a mirror image or likeness, determined if you are equal to the spirit of God, or if that spirit is within; or
• Is a conversation with oneself, indicatingan action without the help of another.

The act of meditation is simply focusing one's attention on something.  You can make the same analogy for prayer.The differences between the two lie in one's understanding of the connection to the spirit of God.It is your choice; choose wisely.

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