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Well really like all things magical prayer is going to be unique based on each person speaking it. Rae Beth was speaking of using prayers instead of full spell work. So in that regards her statement works. However I do see your point.

Informall prayers could be as simple as "Oh (insert deity/spirit here) I need your advice. (Insert issue/problem) I am doing all I can. Please may you help me". If it works for you then use it. If the "structure" works, then use that. As long as either style prayer comes from the heart, than you are all set.

I can see your point, but I'd also have to point out that many of us commune with our deities through meditation. Most of the formal ritual I do is dedicated to worshiping the Gods and not asking for something. Prayer is another way of contacting deity.

And I think that's what Rae Beth was getting at when she spoke of prayer. I myself have stood outside in the middle of winter and just with my heart (not even my mind) thanked the Gods for the simple beauty that is the winter.

Agreed. Any one can speak to a deity in time of need, but how many people thank deity for simple pleasure in life?

Since my cousin is like that, I know what your talking about. When I'm with him I join him and thank the deities I work with for my meal while he thanks his deity.

I personally think that actual prayer is a topic that many pagans ignore. I think to many people think that we have to "work for" our deities. Personally while I may worship a deity and hold rites in honor of them, I don't work for them. I work with them. I'm starting to mentally say simple prayers now.

Last night I stoold outside and looked up at the night sjy. It filled me with peace. While I was standing there I thanked the spirits and deities for the neauty I have. Even in the city I am starting to find simple beauty every where. It's kind of reassuring.

Here we stumble upon the thought of priesthood and what makes one a priest. Does one have to serve Gods to be a priest or can they work with them and be priests as well? I think it's actually a mixture of both. You need to work with them, but you also do some work for them (performing their specific rituals a specific way, ect). In the end if your working with deity or for deity it doesn't really matter. All that matters is that you do what feels right to you and your practice. After all, not every one is called to be a priest or priestess.

I consider myself a priestess in training. I pray to my deities as thanks, and I do some rites and ritual specific to them. However I also spend a lot of time working with them in spell craft and meditations. It's a working relationship. Not one of "I am not worthy" as some Christians seem to think. It's more along the lines of "Hey, I honor you, can you help me with ....".

Prayer fits in here as a way of establishing communication and a practice. Books can only get a priest/ess so far in their practice. Essential UPG and in depth study of the lore and practices is what will show you the way. If you just rely on books, you can never really experience the mysteries of deity and life.

All deities will have their own way of being honored and some may even have a specific way they want to be prayed to. The only way to learn is through historical research and UPG/Meditation with the deities. Of course the best way is to find a teacher, but not all of us are so lucky. Most people have UPG and research, that doesn't make them any less of a priest or priestess. It just means they found their own way.

One of the first spiritual lessons I learned while I was growing up was prayer. In all my days sense then, it has still proven to be one of the most effective and important ways of contacting deity. In many ways prayer can also be used to contact other spirits and give our self guidance. No doubt about it. Prayer is an important and powerful tool.