Prayer, A Comparison...

Prayer is a basic part of all three of the Abrahamic faiths. All three agree that it is to be directed to GOD (G_d,Allah) alone and that it is necessary for a healthy faith.

In Judaism, prayer has replaced the sacrifices that were prescribed in the law of Moses. This occured out of necessity during the time of Israels' exile to Babylon. There were three daily sacrifices and they were only allowed to be performed at the temple in Jerusalem. The sacrifices were required as payment for the sins of the people. Since the people were not in Jerusalem, the sacrifices could not be performed and therefore formal prayers were introduced three times per day to replace the required sacrifices.

Modern Jewish practice includes these three formal daily prayers as well as weekly mandatory assemblies at the synagogue. In addition to these prayers, blessings are prayed over virtually every daily activity and one hundred are required each day.

For a complete formal prayer service to "count", ten adult Jewish males are required to be present. Prayers are recited from books in Hebrew.

Other prayers are for special feasts such as Sukkot which is the feast of tabernacles. On the seventh day of Sukkot, the congregation makes seven circuits around the synagogue reciting the prayer "please save us".

Traditionally, all prayers are made while facing Jerusalem. This is based on Solomons' prayer of dedication for the temple which is found in 1Kings 8:35-36.

These prayers are a duty of the Jewish people and without them there would be no way of having a right relationship with GOD.

Preparation for prayer consists of ablutions (ceremonial washing) which includes the face, head, hands and arms to the elbows, as well as the feet to the ankles. Prayer is performed while facing the Qibla. In the early days of Islam, the Qibla pointed to Jerusalem but was later changed to point to the Ka'aba in Mecca. The Ka'aba contains the Black Stone.

Islamic tradition says that the Black Stone fell from Heaven as a pure and dazzling white stone during the time of Adam and Eve. It is believed that the stone has turned black over the years because it has absorbed the sins of pilgrims to the Ka'aba over the years. During this pilgrimage (hajj), the people make seven circuits of the Ka'aba and kiss the stone during each circuit.

All prayers are said in Arabic which is the language of the Qur'an. Personal prayers (du'a) are allowed in late night, late morning, and before or after the five formal prayers. Other special prayers are for festivals (Ramadan) and special occasions such as for rain or during solar or lunar eclipses.

Each of the five formal prayers is assigned from two to four cycles of movements and words (raka'at). An Imam leads the formal prayers in a mosque.

As one of the pillars of Islam, these prayers are a duty of a Muslim to receive the rewards from GOD (ALLAH) including entry into Heaven.

The pattern of Jesus is followed in prayer. Jesus gave us instructions on proper prayer in Matthew chapters 5 and 6. We are told that it is not a matter of praying in public for all to hear but that it should be done in secret and not babbling on with many words.

Jesus prayed to GOD the FATHER in the garden of Gethsemane (Matt. 26:36-46) as well as other times. He even instructed us to pray for our enemies and those who persecute us.

Finally, we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit. We are told that the Spirit will help us to pray even when we do not know how or have the words.

Prayers are permissible at any time and in any place without facing any particular direction. Language does not matter because GOD is great enough to understand all languages.