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"Prayer" has ancient roots, and has evolved over millennia. The concept of communication with the divine or supernatural, predates the word itself, appearing in many ancient cultures and religious practices. Some of the earliest recorded prayers come from ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt (c. 3000 BCE). People would pray to gods for blessings, protection, and favor. The Bible’s Old Testament (c. 1200 BCE) includes many examples of prayers, such as in the Psalms, which are songs and prayers to God. "Prayer" derives from the 1st century CE Latin word "precaria" (from "precari" meaning "to entreat, ask, or beg") A wise man once taught me that prayer is putting yourself in a position where you can speak to God with your entire being and listen to God's response with your undivided attention.
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Here is the full text of the most popular "prayer" from the top 20 world religions and philosophies:
Baha'i Faith
Formulation: "The Remover of Difficulties" Reference: Revealed by The Báb
"Is there any remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are His servants, and all abide by His bidding."
The Tablet of Ahmad
"He is the King, the All-Knowing, the Wise! Lo, the Nightingale of Paradise singeth upon the twigs of the Tree of Eternity, with holy and sweet melodies, proclaiming to the sincere ones the glad tidings of the nearness of God, calling the believers in the Divine Unity to the court of the Presence of the Generous One, informing the severed ones of the message which hath been revealed by God, the King, the Glorious, the Peerless, guiding the lovers to the seat of sanctity and to this resplendent Beauty."
Buddhism (Tibetan Buddhism)
Formulation: "Om Mani Padme Hum" Reference: Tibetan Buddhist prayer to Avalokiteshvara
"Om Mani Padme Hum" (This mantra is often left untranslated, but it is said to evoke the compassion of the Buddha of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara. A common interpretation is "Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus.")
The Refuge Prayer
"Buddham saranam gacchami. Dhammam saranam gacchami. Sangham saranam gacchami
I go to the Buddha for refuge. I go to the Dhamma for refuge. I go to the Sangha for refuge"
Christianity (Eastern Orthodox)
Formulation: "The Jesus Prayer" Reference: Eastern Orthodox tradition
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
Christianity (Roman Catholic & Protestant) and Mormonism
Formulation: "The Lord’s Prayer" Reference: The New Testament, Gospel of Matthew 6:9-13
"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen."
Confucianism
Formulation: "Prayers for Ancestors" Reference: Confucian ceremonies and ancestral rites
Full text: (translated) "We respectfully offer these goods to our ancestors, that their spirits may partake of them, and that they may grant us peace and prosperity."
Hinduism
Formulation: "Gayatri Mantra" Reference: Rigveda 3.62.10
"Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah, Tat Savitur Varenyam, Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi, Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat."
Translation: "We meditate on the glory of the Creator; Who has created the universe; Who is worthy of worship; Who is the embodiment of knowledge and light; Who is the remover of all sins and ignorance; May He enlighten our intellect."
The Gayatri Mantra
"Om bhur bhuvah svah, Tat savitur varenyam, Bhargo devasya dhimahi, Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat."
"Oh Creator of the Universe, We meditate upon thy supreme splendor. May thy radiant power illuminate our intellects, Destroy our sins, and guide us in the right direction."
Islam
Formulation: "Al-Fatiha" Reference: Quran, Surah 1
"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us on the Straight Path, the path of those who have received Your grace; not the path of those who have brought down wrath upon themselves, nor of those who have gone astray."
Jainism
Formulation: "Namokar Mantra" Reference: Jain prayer of reverence
"Namo Arihantanam, Namo Siddhanam, Namo Ayariyanam, Namo Uvajjhayanam, Namo Loe Savva-sahunam. Eso Panch Namokaro, Savva-pavappanasano, Mangalanam Cha Savvesim, Padhamam Havai Mangalam."
Translation:
"I bow to the Arihants (perfected beings), I bow to the Siddhas (liberated souls), I bow to the Acharyas (spiritual leaders), I bow to the Upadhyayas (teachers), I bow to all the Sadhus (saints). This five-fold bow destroys all sins and obstacles and is the most auspicious of all auspicious things."
Judaism
Formulation: "Shema Yisrael" Reference: Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Full text: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
Native American Spirituality
Formulation: "Prayer to the Great Spirit" Reference: Various Native American traditions
"Oh, Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds, and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me. I am small and weak, I need your strength and wisdom. Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset. Make my hands respect the things you have made and my ears sharp to hear your voice. Make me wise so that I may understand the things you have taught my people. Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock. I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy—myself. Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes, so when life fades, as the fading sunset, my spirit may come to you without shame."
Paganism (Modern Paganism/Wicca)
Formulation: "Wiccan Rede" Reference: Modern Wiccan tradition
"Bide the Wiccan Laws ye must, in perfect love and perfect trust. Live and let live, fairly take and fairly give. Cast the Circle thrice about to keep all evil spirits out. To bind the spell every time, let the spell be spake in rhyme. Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill: An it harm none, do what ye will."
Shinto
Formulation: "Norito Prayers" Reference: Traditional Shinto prayers
Full text: (translated) "I humbly speak before you, Oh, divine ancestors. As you guided our nation and protect us still, grant your divine protection to our spirits and bless our paths with peace, prosperity, and purity."
Sikhism
Formulation: "Japji Sahib" Reference: Guru Nanak, Sikh morning prayer
"There is One Creator of all creation. The Name is Truth, Creative Being personified, No fear, No hatred, Image of the Undying, Beyond birth, Self-existent, By Guru’s Grace. Chant and meditate. True in the beginning, True throughout the ages, True here and now, O Nanak, forever True."
The Mool Mantar
"Ik Onkar, Sat Naam, Karta Purakh, Nirbhau, Nirvair, Akaal Moorat, Ajooni, Saibhang, Gurprasaad."
One Universal Creator God, The Name Is Truth, Creative Being Personified, No Fear, No Hatred, Image Of The Undying, Beyond Birth, Self-Existent, By Guru's Grace."
Stoicism
Formulation: "The Serenity Prayer" Reference: Common in modern Stoic practice
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."
Taoism
Formulation: "Qing Jing Jing" (Classic of Purity and Tranquility) Reference: Taoist text
"The Great Tao is without form. It brings forth both heaven and earth. The Great Tao is without desires. It keeps the Sun and Moon revolving in their orbits. The Great Tao is nameless. It eternally nurtures all beings. I do not know its name but call it Tao."
Tibetan Bon
Formulation: "Om Ma Tri Mu Ye Sa Le Du" Reference: A Bon mantra for compassion and protection
*"Om Ma Tri Mu Ye Sa Le Du" (This is a mantra, often left untranslated. It invokes protection, peace, and the embodiment of compassion in the Bon tradition.)
Zoroastrianism
Formulation: "Ashem Vohu" Reference: Zoroastrian prayer of righteousness
Full text: "Ashem Vohu, Vahishtem Asti, Ushta Asti, Ushta Ahmai, Hyat Ashai Vahishtai Ashem."
Translation: "Righteousness is the best good. It is happiness. Happiness is to him who is righteous for the sake of being righteous."
Baha'i Faith
Formulation: "The Remover of Difficulties" Reference: Revealed by The Báb
"Is there any remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are His servants, and all abide by His bidding."
The Tablet of Ahmad
"He is the King, the All-Knowing, the Wise! Lo, the Nightingale of Paradise singeth upon the twigs of the Tree of Eternity, with holy and sweet melodies, proclaiming to the sincere ones the glad tidings of the nearness of God, calling the believers in the Divine Unity to the court of the Presence of the Generous One, informing the severed ones of the message which hath been revealed by God, the King, the Glorious, the Peerless, guiding the lovers to the seat of sanctity and to this resplendent Beauty."
Buddhism (Tibetan Buddhism)
Formulation: "Om Mani Padme Hum" Reference: Tibetan Buddhist prayer to Avalokiteshvara
"Om Mani Padme Hum" (This mantra is often left untranslated, but it is said to evoke the compassion of the Buddha of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara. A common interpretation is "Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus.")
The Refuge Prayer
"Buddham saranam gacchami. Dhammam saranam gacchami. Sangham saranam gacchami
I go to the Buddha for refuge. I go to the Dhamma for refuge. I go to the Sangha for refuge"
Christianity (Eastern Orthodox)
Formulation: "The Jesus Prayer" Reference: Eastern Orthodox tradition
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
Christianity (Roman Catholic & Protestant) and Mormonism
Formulation: "The Lord’s Prayer" Reference: The New Testament, Gospel of Matthew 6:9-13
"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen."
Confucianism
Formulation: "Prayers for Ancestors" Reference: Confucian ceremonies and ancestral rites
Full text: (translated) "We respectfully offer these goods to our ancestors, that their spirits may partake of them, and that they may grant us peace and prosperity."
Hinduism
Formulation: "Gayatri Mantra" Reference: Rigveda 3.62.10
"Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah, Tat Savitur Varenyam, Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi, Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat."
Translation: "We meditate on the glory of the Creator; Who has created the universe; Who is worthy of worship; Who is the embodiment of knowledge and light; Who is the remover of all sins and ignorance; May He enlighten our intellect."
The Gayatri Mantra
"Om bhur bhuvah svah, Tat savitur varenyam, Bhargo devasya dhimahi, Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat."
"Oh Creator of the Universe, We meditate upon thy supreme splendor. May thy radiant power illuminate our intellects, Destroy our sins, and guide us in the right direction."
Islam
Formulation: "Al-Fatiha" Reference: Quran, Surah 1
"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us on the Straight Path, the path of those who have received Your grace; not the path of those who have brought down wrath upon themselves, nor of those who have gone astray."
Jainism
Formulation: "Namokar Mantra" Reference: Jain prayer of reverence
"Namo Arihantanam, Namo Siddhanam, Namo Ayariyanam, Namo Uvajjhayanam, Namo Loe Savva-sahunam. Eso Panch Namokaro, Savva-pavappanasano, Mangalanam Cha Savvesim, Padhamam Havai Mangalam."
Translation:
"I bow to the Arihants (perfected beings), I bow to the Siddhas (liberated souls), I bow to the Acharyas (spiritual leaders), I bow to the Upadhyayas (teachers), I bow to all the Sadhus (saints). This five-fold bow destroys all sins and obstacles and is the most auspicious of all auspicious things."
Judaism
Formulation: "Shema Yisrael" Reference: Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Full text: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
Native American Spirituality
Formulation: "Prayer to the Great Spirit" Reference: Various Native American traditions
"Oh, Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds, and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me. I am small and weak, I need your strength and wisdom. Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset. Make my hands respect the things you have made and my ears sharp to hear your voice. Make me wise so that I may understand the things you have taught my people. Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock. I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy—myself. Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes, so when life fades, as the fading sunset, my spirit may come to you without shame."
Paganism (Modern Paganism/Wicca)
Formulation: "Wiccan Rede" Reference: Modern Wiccan tradition
"Bide the Wiccan Laws ye must, in perfect love and perfect trust. Live and let live, fairly take and fairly give. Cast the Circle thrice about to keep all evil spirits out. To bind the spell every time, let the spell be spake in rhyme. Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill: An it harm none, do what ye will."
Shinto
Formulation: "Norito Prayers" Reference: Traditional Shinto prayers
Full text: (translated) "I humbly speak before you, Oh, divine ancestors. As you guided our nation and protect us still, grant your divine protection to our spirits and bless our paths with peace, prosperity, and purity."
Sikhism
Formulation: "Japji Sahib" Reference: Guru Nanak, Sikh morning prayer
"There is One Creator of all creation. The Name is Truth, Creative Being personified, No fear, No hatred, Image of the Undying, Beyond birth, Self-existent, By Guru’s Grace. Chant and meditate. True in the beginning, True throughout the ages, True here and now, O Nanak, forever True."
The Mool Mantar
"Ik Onkar, Sat Naam, Karta Purakh, Nirbhau, Nirvair, Akaal Moorat, Ajooni, Saibhang, Gurprasaad."
One Universal Creator God, The Name Is Truth, Creative Being Personified, No Fear, No Hatred, Image Of The Undying, Beyond Birth, Self-Existent, By Guru's Grace."
Stoicism
Formulation: "The Serenity Prayer" Reference: Common in modern Stoic practice
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."
Taoism
Formulation: "Qing Jing Jing" (Classic of Purity and Tranquility) Reference: Taoist text
"The Great Tao is without form. It brings forth both heaven and earth. The Great Tao is without desires. It keeps the Sun and Moon revolving in their orbits. The Great Tao is nameless. It eternally nurtures all beings. I do not know its name but call it Tao."
Tibetan Bon
Formulation: "Om Ma Tri Mu Ye Sa Le Du" Reference: A Bon mantra for compassion and protection
*"Om Ma Tri Mu Ye Sa Le Du" (This is a mantra, often left untranslated. It invokes protection, peace, and the embodiment of compassion in the Bon tradition.)
Zoroastrianism
Formulation: "Ashem Vohu" Reference: Zoroastrian prayer of righteousness
Full text: "Ashem Vohu, Vahishtem Asti, Ushta Asti, Ushta Ahmai, Hyat Ashai Vahishtai Ashem."
Translation: "Righteousness is the best good. It is happiness. Happiness is to him who is righteous for the sake of being righteous."