Here is the definition of
PRAYER (may you all have peace... and please note, the underlining, bolding, and italicizing may be mine):
Quote:
(1) :
an address (as a petition)
to God or a god in word or thought <said a prayer for the success of the voyage> (2) : a set order of words used in praying b : an earnest request or wish
2: the
act or practice of praying to God or a god <kneeling in prayer>
3: a religious service consisting chiefly of prayers —often used in plural
4:
something prayed for5: a slight chance <haven't got a prayer>
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prayerHere is the etymology of the word "
prayer":
Quote:
pray (v.)
early 13c., "
ask earnestly, beg," also (c.1300) "
pray to a god or saint," from Old French preier "to pray" (c.900, Modern French prier), from Vulgar Latin *precare (also source of Italian pregare), from Latin precari "
ask earnestly, beg, entreat," from *prex (plural preces, genitive precis) "prayer,
request,
entreaty," from PIE root *prek- "
to ask, request, entreat" (cf. Sanskrit prasna-, Avestan frashna- "
question;" Old Church Slavonic prositi, Lithuanian prasyti "
to ask, beg;" Old High German frahen, German fragen, Old English fricgan
"to ask" a question).
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=pray In BOTH instances one can see that
PRAYER... is a
one-way effort. TO God... but not necessarily back FROM God (which, understandably, can be frustrating, and perhaps accounts for why many leave OFF praying "to" God).
In contrast, the definition of a
CONVERSATION is:
Quote:
obsolete : conduct, behavior
2a (1) :
oral exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas (2) :
an instance of such exchange : talk <a quiet conversation> b :
an informal discussion of an issue by representatives of governments, institutions, or groups c : an exchange similar to conversation
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conversationAnd the etymology of the word "
conversation" is:
Quote:
conversation (n.)
mid-14c., "
living together,
having dealings with others," also "manner of conducting oneself in the world;" from Old French conversation, from Latin conversationem (nominative conversatio) "
act of living with," noun of action from past participle stem of conversari "to live with, keep company with," literally "turn about with,"
from Latin com- "with" (see com-) + vertare, frequentative of vertere (see versus).
Specific sense of "talk" is 1570s.
Used as a synonym for "sexual intercourse" from at least 1511, hence criminal conversation, legal term for adultery from late 18c. Related: Conversationalist; conversationist.
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=conversationAnd, related:
CONVERSE:
Quote:
1.(now literary) Familiar discourse;
free interchange of thoughts or views; conversation; chat.
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/converseIndicating... a
TWO-way effort.
I am posting this in the HOPES that those, who may not yet be able to quite see the
difference between "prayer", which is a
ONE-way effort... and "conversation," which is AT LEAST a
TWO-way [and ORAL] interchange... are NOT one and the same. And that while there ARE many in the earth who
pray TO Christ (and/of God)... there are others... albeit, perhaps few ("... many are called; few are chosen")... who literally have
conversations... WITH Christ.
I hope this helps alleviate the confusion [of those who may not know the difference... yet].
Again, peace to you ALL!
A slave of Christ,
Shellama