Prayer vs. Worship — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 22, 2023
Prayer is a specific act of communicating with a deity or higher power, often asking for something or expressing thanks. Worship is the broader practice of showing reverence and adoration for a deity or higher power.
Difference Between Prayer and Worship
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Key Differences
Prayer is essentially a dialogue between the individual and a higher power, often private and introspective. Worship, however, can be a collective experience, often involving a community in religious ceremonies or rituals.
Prayer can be specific in its requests, asking for guidance, blessings, or even miracles. Worship is more about expressing admiration and devotion, which may or may not involve making specific requests.
The language used in prayer can be informal and conversational, depending on the religious practice. Worship, on the other hand, often involves more formalized language, chants, or hymns.
Prayer is commonly a quiet, internal, and individual action. Worship, however, can be quite visible, public, and communal, involving multiple people, various activities, and sometimes even a specific location like a church or temple.
While prayer can be a component of worship, it's not the only form. Worship can include a variety of practices like singing, reading religious texts, and participating in rituals, making it a more encompassing term.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Specific, individual
Broad, communal
Requests
Often specific
Usually general or non-specific
Language
Informal to formal
More formalized
Setting
Quiet, private
Public, ceremonial
Components
Mainly dialogue
Includes rituals, songs, and readings
Compare with Definitions
Prayer
An act of communicating with a deity.
Her morning prayer focused on gratitude.
Worship
The practice of showing reverence to a deity.
Sunday worship at the church was uplifting.
Prayer
Can be private and individual.
He said a quiet prayer before eating.
Worship
Often a collective experience.
The community came together for worship.
Prayer
Language can be informal.
The prayer was conversational in tone.
Worship
Can occur in specific places.
The temple was a house of worship.
Prayer
Generally a component of worship.
The service included prayers and hymns.
Worship
Worship is an act of religious devotion usually directed towards a deity. For many, worship is not about an emotion, it is more about a recognition of a God.
Prayer
Often specific in its requests.
The prayer asked for healing.
Worship
The reverent love and devotion accorded a deity, an idol, or a sacred object.
Prayer
Prayer is an invocation that seeks with an object of worship through deliberate communication. In the narrow sense, the term refers to an act of supplication or intercession directed towards a god or a deified ancestor.
Worship
The ceremonies, prayers, or other religious forms by which this love is expressed
A chapel where worship is held daily.
Prayer
A reverent petition made to God, a god, or another object of worship.
Worship
Ardent admiration or love; adoration
The worship of celebrities.
Prayer
The act of making a reverent petition to God, a god, or another object of worship
Belief in the power of prayer.
Worship
Often Worship Chiefly British Used as a form of address for magistrates, mayors, and certain other dignitaries
Your Worship.
Prayer
An act of communion with God, a god, or another object of worship, such as in devotion, confession, praise, or thanksgiving
One evening a week, the family would join together in prayer.
Worship
To honor and love as a deity.
Prayer
A specially worded form used to address God, a god, or another object of worship.
Worship
To regard with ardent or adoring esteem or devotion.
Prayer
Prayers A religious observance in which praying predominates
Morning prayers.
Worship
The devotion accorded to a deity or to a sacred object.
Polytheistic theology and worship had to go underground.
Prayer
A fervent request
Her prayer for rain was granted at last.
Worship
The adoration owed to God alone, as greater than the veneration that may be accorded to figures such as saints.
Prayer
The thing requested
His safe arrival was their only prayer.
Worship
The religious ceremonies that express this devotion.
Prayer
The slightest chance or hope
In a storm the mountain climbers won't have a prayer.
Worship
(by extension) Voluntary, utter submission; voluntary, utter deference.
Prayer
The request for relief by a party initiating a lawsuit, stated in the pleadings.
Worship
(also by extension) Ardent love.
Prayer
The portion of the pleadings that contains this request.
Worship
An object of worship.
Prayer
(uncountable) A practice of communicating with one's God, or with some spiritual entity.
Through prayer I ask for God's guidance.
In many cultures, prayer involves singing.
Worship
Honour; respect; civil deference.
Prayer
(countable) An act of praying.
Worship
Used as a title or term of address for various officials, including magistrates
Prayer
The specific words or methods used for praying.
Christians recite the Lord's Prayer.
For Baha'is there's a difference between obligatory and devotional prayer.
Worship
(obsolete) The condition of being worthy; honour, distinction.
Prayer
A meeting held for the express purpose of praying.
Grandpa never misses a chance to go to prayer.
Worship
(transitive) To reverence (a deity, etc.) with supreme respect and veneration; to perform religious exercises in honour of.
Prayer
(countable) A request; a petition.
This, your honor, is my prayer; that all here be set free.
Worship
(transitive) To honour with extravagant love and extreme submission, as a lover; to adore; to idolize.
Prayer
The remotest hope or chance.
That team doesn't have a prayer of winning the championship.
Worship
(intransitive) To participate in religious ceremonies.
We worship at the church down the road.
Prayer
One who prays.
Worship
Excellence of character; dignity; worth; worthiness.
A man of worship and honour.
Elfin, born of noble state,And muckle worship in his native land.
Prayer
One who prays; a supplicant.
Worship
Honor; respect; civil deference.
Of which great worth and worship may be won.
Then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
Prayer
The act of praying, or of asking a favor; earnest request or entreaty; hence, a petition or memorial addressed to a court or a legislative body.
Worship
Hence, a title of honor, used in addresses to certain magistrates and others of rank or station.
My father desires your worships' company.
Prayer
The act of addressing supplication to a divinity, especially to the true God; the offering of adoration, confession, supplication, and thanksgiving to the Supreme Being; as, public prayer; secret prayer.
As he is famed for mildness, peace, and prayer.
Worship
The act of paying divine honors to the Supreme Being; religious reverence and homage; adoration, or acts of reverence, paid to God, or a being viewed as God.
The worship of God is an eminent part of religion, and prayer is a chief part of religious worship.
Prayer
The form of words used in praying; a formula of supplication; an expressed petition; especially, a supplication addressed to God; as, a written or extemporaneous prayer; to repeat one's prayers.
He made those excellent prayers which were published immediately after his death.
Worship
Obsequious or submissive respect; extravagant admiration; adoration.
'T is your inky brows, your black silk hair,Your bugle eyeballs, nor your cheek of cream,That can my spirits to your worship.
Prayer
The act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving);
The priest sank to his knees in prayer
Worship
An object of worship.
In attitude and aspect formed to beAt once the artist's worship and despair.
Prayer
Reverent petition to a deity
Worship
To respect; to honor; to treat with civil reverence.
Our grave . . . shall have a tongueless mouth,Not worshiped with a waxen epitaph.
This holy image that is man God worshipeth.
Prayer
Earnest or urgent request;
An entreaty to stop the fighting
An appeal for help
An appeal to the public to keep calm
Worship
To pay divine honors to; to reverence with supreme respect and veneration; to perform religious exercises in honor of; to adore; to venerate.
But God is to be worshiped.
When all our fathers worshiped stocks and stones.
Prayer
A fixed text used in praying
Worship
To honor with extravagant love and extreme submission, as a lover; to adore; to idolize.
With bended knees I daily worship her.
Prayer
Someone who prays to God
Worship
To perform acts of homage or adoration; esp., to perform religious service.
Our fathers worshiped in this mountain; and ye say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
Was it for this I have loved . . . and worshiped in silence?
Worship
The activity of worshipping
Worship
A feeling of profound love and admiration
Worship
Love unquestioningly and uncritically or to excess; venerate as an idol;
Many teenagers idolized the Beatles
Worship
Show devotion to (a deity);
Many Hindus worship Shiva
Worship
Attend religious services;
They worship in the traditional manner
Worship
Involves various activities.
Worship included singing and reading scripture.
Worship
More encompassing than prayer.
Worship services feature prayers, songs, and sermons.
Common Curiosities
Can I pray without worshiping?
Yes, prayer can be a standalone act.
Is worship always a community event?
Not always, individual worship is possible.
What is the main focus of worship?
To show reverence and adoration for a higher power.
Is prayer always part of worship?
No, worship can exist without prayer, but prayer is often included.
Can I pray in any language?
Generally, yes, as it's the intent that matters.
Are rituals part of worship?
They often are in various religious traditions.
Can prayer be informal?
Yes, depending on the religious practice, it can be.
Is singing a form of worship?
In many religious practices, yes.
Is worship only for religious people?
Generally, but some may argue for broader definitions.
Is worship limited to churches or temples?
No, it can occur in many settings.
Can prayer be a group activity?
Yes, communal prayer exists.
Is meditation a form of prayer or worship?
It can be considered either, depending on intent and religious context.
Can prayer be done silently?
Yes, silent prayer is common.
Can I worship through art?
In some religious practices, art is a form of worship.
Can I pray for others?
Yes, intercessory prayer is common.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
