What are the differences and similarities between prayer and magic?
I know prayer is regarded as a request and magic is regarded as a command, but I ask because in theory the command/request dichotomy stands up, but in practice I don’t see commands and requests to be mutually exclusive. Couldn’t both prayer and magic be commanding in nature as well as an expression of will, and couldn’t both prayer and magic also be requests which include a strong sense of humility?
I just read something about that. It says "spellwork has its power from the harmony or the wizard with the Logos or creative energy of God" So in this sense it would seem that magic and prayer are similar.
However, in practice there are two kinds of magic. (I am not an expert on this.)
Invocational magic is where you call down spirits and demons to do your bidding.
Incantational magic (the type in Harry Potter) involves the harmony with the powers of the universe, or God. The more in-touch you are with that power, or God the more power and better results that you will get from your spell. It is this type of magic that is somewhat like prayer. The Saints get better results become they have become one with God, their source.
From this we can see that both magic and prayer require that the person be in harmony with God, in harmony with love.
The differences: Everyone knows that magic is based entirely on illusion.
The similarities: Neither prayer nor magic have any substance to them.
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Arcane: non divine power, years of practice
Divine: requested from a deity
Prayer is basically a morale boost
References :
D&D source books
Both are trying to change the universe with the power of your mind. Both don’t work.
The universe laughs at your feeble attempts to will it into changing.
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There is no difference at all. It’s the same thing.
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Absolutely. Yet even in Magic there is a request. There are rules which govern it as well as with prayer. You don’t demand that something happen you request aid of the elements to create something. Even if you do, the request can not be unreasonable. And you must know what your wish to achieve, focus on the end result, otherwise even magic won’t work.
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Truth/experience
I can’t think of two things that are more different.
True prayer begins with humble recognition of the blessings one already has. Prayer is not for oneself. It is for the benefit of another. And it is possible. One must pray for what is possible, not for what is impossible. One can pray that the impossible become possible, so that there is a solution, an avenue.
Prayer releases hope.
Magic is a demand, an ego-centered need. And quite irrespective of the laws of man and nature.
Similarities? I see none.
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Both are illusions
Magic is an illusion that one person plays on others
Prayer is the illusion that a person puts on themselves. They think they are taking to someone.
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magic is the devil’s lie
Prayer is to the Living God and He turns things around because it is communication with Him too.
I will take prayer any day and never ever use magic.
References :
Camille
Walks in Faith and Victory because of the blood of Jesus
I’d say one is more passive while the other is more active. One focuses more on a deity while the other more on Self.
References :
I just read something about that. It says "spellwork has its power from the harmony or the wizard with the Logos or creative energy of God" So in this sense it would seem that magic and prayer are similar.
However, in practice there are two kinds of magic. (I am not an expert on this.)
Invocational magic is where you call down spirits and demons to do your bidding.
Incantational magic (the type in Harry Potter) involves the harmony with the powers of the universe, or God. The more in-touch you are with that power, or God the more power and better results that you will get from your spell. It is this type of magic that is somewhat like prayer. The Saints get better results become they have become one with God, their source.
From this we can see that both magic and prayer require that the person be in harmony with God, in harmony with love.
References :
part of this is from "Unlocking Harry Potter", by John Granger