Prayer


Many (if not most) Pagans do not use the word 'prayer' for what they do. They will address deities and spirits directly in rituals, offering words of praise to honour them; they may well talk to them in private occasionally. There are various bits of Pagan liturgy which are known as prayers, but they are set forms in a poetical style.

 

Few Pagans will actually pray for requests to be granted - most would use magic in order to get things done. If asked to theorise on why this is, many Pagans would say that it is because prayer is "passive magic", and spells are "active magic". They might even add that they don't consider we should bother the gods about something they can sort out for themselves.

 

Pagan reconstructionists, on the other hand, tend to be less keen on magic, viewing it either as disrespectful or the preserve of specialist practitioners.  Some reconstructionist paths have adopted the prayers used by their chosen tradition in antiquity.

 

Druidry has several prayers in its liturgy: the Druid Prayer for Peace, The Druid's Prayer, and the Druid Oath.

 

Further reading