by Dan Stannard

Created on: September 28, 2009   Last Updated: October 03, 2009

When we think of "magic spells" and prayer, most people would not recognise a link, if they thought there could be one at all. As most of my articles appear to state for one reason or another, a spell is the use of one's own will, or set of ingredients, or combination of the two, to manifest a change in the spiritual, mental or physical dimensions and realms of one's target.

Which is separate (of course) to wishing, and self-fulfilling prophecies.

Prayer on the Other hand is powerful tool in its own right, which has similarities to spell craft in more than one place, and deserves to be understood fully.

Where a spell is the amassing of ingredients and intention for a specific purpose, a prayer is the opposite, but equal partner of such, and both can go hand in hand.

A prayer, as many people will know, is a call, cry and meditation of devotion, as well as a plea (petition) for assistance from Spirits, elements, or Deity. (Except in branches of the Buddhist belief, in which a prayer is actually made to your Self, helping to accept misgivings, errors and imperfections on the path to Enlightenment).

A wise witch, and a friend of mine, We shall call her Erin, stated that the difference between Spells (and thus magic) and Prayer, is thus.

~~Prayer equates to asking your Dad to give you $20.

Spell work equates to you collecting tins, bottles and rubbish, and working to gain the $20 from the recycling plant. ~~ (paraphrase)

Essentially, this is stating that Prayer is a sit back and and let Daddy do the hard stuff, while magic is a work hard and achieve philosophy.

This is not of course, proclaiming that the two cannot be combined. You can pray for Divine (or Infernal... depending on your stand point of course) assistance with a spell, or you may even be given the task by a Deity. Using the above analogy, such a situation could result in;

~~Asking Daddy for money. Daddy says sure. Once you have mown the lawn. Etc. And hence, you have Divine intervention with your spell work. ~~

Another such scenario of the two, prayer and magic combined, could be praying for defence while attempting to cast a tricky (or simple - precautions are important) piece of magic. i.e -

~~ Asking Daddy to watch you while Trick-o-Treating, so you get the reward yourself, but you know you are under good protection. ~~

These are just a few examples of the relationship, as well as the comparisons in their use.

Like Magic, Prayer is a neutral tool, used by most faiths and religions in one respect or another. And as it is a tool, it can be used for any number of reasons - 'good' or 'ill'. Just remember perspective.

Rejoice to your Gods, Pray to Them, for They are You. So, Treat yourself as a God - With Respect, and Dignity. Use the Tools given to us, by Them, by Us, and use them with pleasure, Prayer or Spell.

Its your Right to do so.

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