Prayer vs. Wish: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on September 19, 2023
"Prayer" typically involves a solemn request or expression of thanks to a deity or higher power, while a "wish" is a desire or hope for something to happen, not necessarily directed to a divine entity. They differ in formality, target, and cultural contex
Key Differences
A "prayer" is commonly understood as a structured form of communication directed towards a deity, higher power, or spiritual force. It often entails specific words, postures, or rituals. A "wish," on the other hand, is more casual and represents a yearning or desire for something to come true but doesn't necessitate a spiritual context.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
"Prayer" usually carries religious or spiritual connotations, often involving supplication, confession, praise, or thanksgiving. "Wish" is generally secular and can be as simple as wanting a particular outcome, like winning a game or having a sunny day. The word "wish" is not restricted to religious or spiritual environments.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
From a grammatical standpoint, "prayer" is usually a noun, although the verb form "to pray" exists. "Wish" can serve as both a verb and a noun, enabling more versatile usage in sentences. For example, "I say a prayer every night" versus "I wish for good weather."
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
In terms of formality, "prayers" are often seen as more formal and are generally a part of religious services or rituals. "Wishes," in contrast, are usually informal and can be made impulsively. For instance, one may say a prayer in a church, but make a wish upon seeing a shooting star.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
In summary, while "prayer" and "wish" both involve a desire for something, they differ in their formality, the entities they are directed towards, and their cultural or spiritual context. "Prayer" is generally more structured and spiritual, while "wish" is more versatile and often secular.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 19, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Direction
Directed towards a higher power or deity
Not necessarily directed towards any specific entity
Harlon Moss
Sep 19, 2023
Linguistic Flexibility
Generally more structured phrases and sentences
More versatile in sentence structure
Janet White
Sep 19, 2023
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Prayer and Wish Definitions
Prayer
A religious ritual involving spoken or sung words.
The evening prayer service was peaceful.
Harlon Moss
Sep 19, 2023
Prayer
A plea for help or guidance.
The soldiers said a prayer before going into battle.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
Prayer
An expression of gratitude towards a divine entity.
Their prayers of thanks filled the church.
Janet White
Sep 19, 2023
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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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Prayer
The act of making a reverent petition to God, a god, or another object of worship
Belief in the power of prayer.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Wish
An expression of a desire, longing, or strong inclination
Carried out the wishes included in the will.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Wish
An expression of desire for the happiness or success of another
Sent me his best wishes.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Prayer
A specially worded form used to address God, a god, or another object of worship.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Prayer
Prayers A religious observance in which praying predominates
Morning prayers.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Wish
To feel or express a desire for
I wish them good luck. He wished her good night.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Wish
To order, entreat, or request
I wish you to go. I wish it to be known that I disagree.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Prayer
The slightest chance or hope
In a storm the mountain climbers won't have a prayer.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Wish
To desire (something bad) to happen to someone
I would not wish such an illness on anyone.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Prayer
The request for relief by a party initiating a lawsuit, stated in the pleadings.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Wish
A desire, hope, or longing for something or for something to happen.
Have a wish
Make someone's wish come true
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Wish
An expression of such a desire, often connected with ideas of magic and supernatural power.
Make a wish
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Wish
The thing desired or longed for.
My dearest wish is to see them happily married.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Prayer
A meeting held for the express purpose of praying.
Grandpa never misses a chance to go to prayer.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Prayer
(countable) A request; a petition.
This, your honor, is my prayer; that all here be set free.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Prayer
The remotest hope or chance.
That team doesn't have a prayer of winning the championship.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Wish
(ditransitive) To bestow (a thought or gesture) towards (someone or something).
We wish you a Merry Christmas.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 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
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Prayer
Earnest or urgent request;
An entreaty to stop the fighting
An appeal for help
An appeal to the public to keep calm
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Wish
Desire; eager desire; longing.
Behold, I am according to thy wish in God a stead.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Wish
Expression of desire; request; petition; hence, invocation or imprecation.
Blistered be thy tongue for such a wish.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Wish
A thing desired; an object of desire.
Will he, wise, let loose at once his ire . . . To give his enemies their wish!
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Prayer
An act of communicating with God or a higher power.
She finds solace in prayer.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
Wish
A specific feeling of desire;
He got his wish
He was above all wishing and desire
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 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
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Wish
(usually plural) a polite expression of desire for someone's welfare;
Give him my kind regards
My best wishes
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Wish
The particular preference that you have;
It was his last wish
They should respect the wishes of the people
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
Wish
Prefer or wish to do something;
Do you care to try this dish?
Would you like to come along to the movies?
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023
FAQs
Is "prayer" always religious?
While commonly religious, "prayer" can be spiritual without adhering to a specific religion.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
Is "wish" religious?
"Wish" is generally secular but can appear in religious contexts.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
What does "wish" generally mean?
"Wish" generally means a desire or hope for something to happen.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
Can "prayer" be a verb?
"Prayer" is usually a noun, but the verb form "to pray" exists.
Janet White
Sep 19, 2023
What does "prayer" generally mean?
"Prayer" typically means a structured communication directed towards a deity or higher power.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
Can "wish" be both a noun and a verb?
Yes, "wish" can function as both a noun and a verb.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 19, 2023
Is "prayer" only for asking?
No, "prayer" can involve asking, thanking, or praising a divine entity.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
Is "prayer" formal?
"Prayer" is generally considered formal and often involves specific rituals.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
Can "prayer" be secular?
"Prayer" is usually religious or spiritual but can be secular in some contexts.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
Can you "make a wish"?
Yes, the phrase "make a wish" is commonly used to express a desire.
Harlon Moss
Sep 19, 2023
Can you "say a prayer"?
Yes, "saying a prayer" is a common way to express engaging in the act of prayer.
Janet White
Sep 19, 2023
Can "wishes" be granted?
In folklore and fiction, wishes can be granted by magical entities.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
Are "prayers" always spoken?
No, prayers can be spoken, written, or silently thought.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
Can "wish" involve asking someone?
Yes, "wish" can be used to politely request or command someone to do something.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
