Prayer vs. Wish: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Published on November 19, 2023
Prayer is a spiritual communication or petition to a higher power, often seeking guidance or blessings, while a wish is a desire or hope for something to happen, irrespective of divinity.
Difference Between Prayer and Wish
Prayer is deeply rooted in religious and spiritual practices. Across various religions and belief systems, prayer is a way individuals communicate with the divine or a higher power. It serves as a means to express gratitude, seek guidance, or request assistance in times of need. Prayers often follow specific rituals, chants, or texts, and can be both personal or communal.
Muazma Batool
Nov 19, 2023
In contrast, a wish does not necessarily involve any religious context. It's a hope or desire for something to occur. One might wish on a star, when blowing out birthday candles, or simply in their heart. It's a more secular expression of hope or yearning, although it can sometimes be found within religious contexts too.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 19, 2023
While both prayer and wish represent a form of hope or request, the manner and context in which they are expressed differentiate them. A prayer often follows a particular format or structure, especially within established religious practices. It can be an act of worship, repentance, or thanksgiving.
Muazma Batool
Nov 19, 2023
On the other hand, wishing is more spontaneous and less formalized. It's a universal act that transcends cultures and religions. Whether it's wishing for good luck, a positive outcome, or someone's well-being, it's an innate human expression of optimism and hope.
William
Nov 19, 2023
Despite their differences, both prayer and wish are powerful in their right. They both encapsulate human emotions, desires, and connections, be it with the divine or with the universe at large.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 19, 2023
Prayer vs. Wish Comparison Chart
Context
Often directed to a higher power or divine entity
Not specifically directed at any entity
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 19, 2023
Formality
Can follow specific rituals or texts
Generally informal and spontaneous
Muazma Batool
Nov 19, 2023
Universality
Common in religious practices worldwide
Found across cultures, irrespective of faith
Lucas
Nov 19, 2023
Expression
Often verbal, can be silent; may involve rituals
Can be verbal, silent, or through actions
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 19, 2023
Prayer vs. Wish Definitions
◉Wish
A feeling of longing or hope.
She held onto her childhood wish to become an astronaut.
Jonathan
Sep 17, 2023
◉Prayer
A religious ritual that includes communication with God.
Morning prayers are a part of her daily routine.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 17, 2023
◉Wish
An act of wishing, typically expressed by gestures like blowing out candles.
He made a wish before blowing out the birthday candles.
Leo
Sep 17, 2023
◉Prayer
A solemn request for help or expression of thanks to God or another deity.
He closed his eyes and said a prayer for safety.
Kaitlyn
Sep 17, 2023
◉Prayer
Words spoken or thought during this communication.
He recited a prayer of gratitude.
Olivia
Sep 17, 2023
◉Wish
A feeling that one would like to have or do something or to see something happen; a desire, longing, or strong inclination for a specific thing.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Prayer
A reverent petition made to God, a god, or another object of worship.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
An expression of a desire, longing, or strong inclination
carried out the wishes included in the will.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Prayer
The act of making a reverent petition to God, a god, or another object of worship
belief in the power of prayer.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
An expression of desire for the happiness or success of another
sent me his best wishes.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
Something desired or longed for
finally got his wish to see the ocean.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Prayer
A specially worded form used to address God, a god, or another object of worship.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Prayer
prayers A religious observance in which praying predominates
morning prayers.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
To feel or express a desire for
I wish them good luck. He wished her good night.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
To order, entreat, or request
I wish you to go. I wish it to be known that I disagree.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
To desire (something bad) to happen to someone
I would not wish such an illness on anyone.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Prayer
The slightest chance or hope
In a storm the mountain climbers won't have a prayer.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Prayer
The request for relief by a party initiating a lawsuit, stated in the pleadings.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
A desire, hope, or longing for something or for something to happen.
have a wish
make someone's wish come true
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
An expression of such a desire, often connected with ideas of magic and supernatural power.
make a wish
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
The thing desired or longed for.
My dearest wish is to see them happily married.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Prayer
A meeting held for the express purpose of praying.
Grandpa never misses a chance to go to prayer.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Prayer
(countable) A request; a petition.
This, your honor, is my prayer; that all here be set free.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Prayer
The remotest hope or chance.
That team doesn't have a prayer of winning the championship.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
To hope (for a particular outcome), even if that outcome is unlikely to occur or cannot occur.
I wish I could go back in time and teach myself what I know now.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
(ditransitive) To bestow (a thought or gesture) towards (someone or something).
We wish you a Merry Christmas.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
(transitive) To recommend; to seek confidence or favour on behalf of.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
To have a desire or yearning; to long; to hanker.
They cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
This is as good an argument as an antiquary could wish for.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
To desire; to long for; to hanker after; to have a mind or disposition toward.
I would not wishAny companion in the world but you.
I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
To frame or express desires concerning; to invoke in favor of, or against, any one; to attribute, or cal down, in desire; to invoke; to imprecate.
I would not wish them to a fairer death.
I wish it may not prove some ominous foretoken of misfortune to have met with such a miser as I am.
Let them be driven backward, and put to shame, that wish me evil.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
To recommend; to seek confidence or favor in behalf of.
I would be glad to thrive, sir,And I was wished to your worship by a gentleman.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Prayer
earnest or urgent request;
an entreaty to stop the fighting
an appeal for help
an appeal to the public to keep calm
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
Desire; eager desire; longing.
Behold, I am according to thy wish in God a stead.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
Expression of desire; request; petition; hence, invocation or imprecation.
Blistered be thy tongue for such a wish.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
A thing desired; an object of desire.
Will he, wise, let loose at once his ire . . . To give his enemies their wish!
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Prayer
A form of spiritual communion.
Her prayer was a silent conversation with the universe.
Muazma Batool
Sep 17, 2023
◉Wish
a specific feeling of desire;
he got his wish
he was above all wishing and desire
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
an expression of some desire or inclination;
I could tell that it was his wish that the guests leave
his crying was an indirect request for attention
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
(usually plural) a polite expression of desire for someone's welfare;
give him my kind regards
my best wishes
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
the particular preference that you have;
it was his last wish
they should respect the wishes of the people
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
prefer or wish to do something;
Do you care to try this dish?
Would you like to come along to the movies?
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
Prayer vs. Wish Frequently Asked Questions
How does prayer differ from a wish?
Prayer is a spiritual communication to a higher power, while a wish is a secular desire or hope.
Muazma Batool
Nov 19, 2023
Can you wish without wanting an outcome?
Usually, a wish implies a desired outcome, but it can also express a general sentiment.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 19, 2023
Is prayer always religious?
Often, but it can also be a spiritual or earnest hope without specific religious ties.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 19, 2023
What's a common ground between prayer and wish?
Both represent human hope, desires, and emotions.
Elijah
Nov 19, 2023
Can a wish be part of a prayer?
Yes, one might pray with the wish that something happens.
Muazma Batool
Nov 19, 2023
Are wishes always informal?
Generally, but they can be formalized in certain rituals or traditions.
Levi
Nov 19, 2023
Do all religions involve prayer?
Most do, but the nature and format of prayers can vary widely.
William
Nov 19, 2023
Is wishing on a star considered a prayer?
Not typically, it's more of a secular hope or desire.
William
Nov 19, 2023
Do wishes always come true?
Wishes are desires and hopes, not guarantees; similarly, not all prayers are answered in the way one might expect.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 19, 2023
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
