What prayer is, and what it might achieve, is something that people of all faiths wrestle with. Contrary to the popular image of Christians asking God to provide them with a parking space, most believers do not expect miracles to happen whenever we pray. So why do we do it, and what do we think we are doing?
Most faiths commend prayer and similar meditative practices to their followers, and most believers find solace, peace and even joy in the practice of regular prayer. So too, of course, do practitioners of yoga, or transcendental meditation, or any number of mindfulness and relaxation techniques. Prayer is certainly effective at this level, but is it simply one such technique among many?
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