Is there any difference between prayer and worship?
by 
saratchandra
ANSWERS: 14
-
To my non-theological ear, prayer sounds more specific: petitionary prayer, prayer of thanksgiving, etc. Worship sounds more general, like participation in ceremony or ritual affirming the attitude or state of mind of the worshipper at that moment, his or her relationship to the entity worshipped, etc. We can be worshipful without having anything specific on our minds. But there's obviously a lot of ambiguity and overlap, e.g., the admonition (I think from St. Paul, but don't quote me) to "pray without ceasing," which seems to contemplate an ongoing activity of mind toward God that would be indistinguishable from continuous worship. What's that vibration? Ah yes, generations of theologians turning over in their graves -- I think I'll leave it at that.
-
Yes, there is a difference, though the two are obviously related. Prayer (at least from the Christian perspective) can consist of many things. It can be a request for forgiveness, a petition (i.e. asking God for something), an expression of gratitude, an expression of love toward God. Prayer can also include the WORSHIP of God. Merriam Webster's defines worship as: "Reverence offered a divine being or supernatural power." So worship of God is an expression of reverence and awe toward Him. This can take the form of prayer, of song, or really almost any form. It is the message trying to be communicated, and not the form in which it is communicated, that makes it "worship." MW defines prayer as: "an address (as a petition) to God or a god in word or thought." Prayer is communication w/ God. If you are communicating your revererence toward Him in prayer, then your prayer can rightly be called "worship". For the purposes of this argument, prayer can be called the method of communication, and worship the message that is communicated.
-
Everyone perceives differently and expresses in a different way. Worship refers to specific acts of religious praise and devotion, and the honouring of God, a form of expression or an act of prayer in praise to God. It is an expression of love for God. Prayer refers to communication. It can mean confession, making requests or prayer according to God's will. Quite literally it means speaking to God or an act of thanks.
-
Worship comes before praise.
-
Yes. But the two can definitely cross breed so to speak.
-
Prayer is a private matter between an individual and his/her God. Worship is meant to be public. Public prayer is a form of worship. In worship the congregation or community strives to build a better community through service, tolerance, acceptance of all members, thus bringing the group closer to God. Prayer is more intimate and much more personal.
-
totally different for sure !!!
-
Yes, prayer is talking to God and Worship is praising God.
-
Prayer is conversation with God. Worship can be prayer, or singing, or learning, or meeting together, even living your life a certain way is worship.
-
Yes. Prayer is talking to God. Worship is a part of that prayer. It is telling God His WORTH (worth-ship). When I was young, the minister taught us that prayer was ACTS: Adoration (worship) Confession Thanksgiving and Supplication (asking for things) That has always been helpful. But worship is also a lifestyle. If we believe that God is worthy, and we are thankful for Him sending Jesus to save us from our sins, then we live a life of "worship" ie showing His WORTH. "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him,strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6,7
-
Prayer is conversation with God. Worship is living your life for him. Our life is a worship for him. Living for him in Christ. We also worship in song at church or home or wherever.
-
I dunno. A matter of degree?
-
Yes, there is a difference. Worship is praise. Prayer CAN be praise, though it also includes requests, and that includes asking for peace, guidance or anything we truly need.
-
Yes. Im not even religious and I can tell there is an obvious difference... by definition alone. Prayer is speaking to a deity. Whether its worship and praise or requests or thanks or what have you... the act of talking to your god. Worship could be a form of prayer... its the giving of praise, yielding to divine authority of sorts. But worship could come in the form of shrines, temples, art, sacrifice, or any other number of acts that dont involve prayer.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC