All people need to communicate, with someone or something beyond themselves about their joys and their woes. For some, communication with other people, or even with animals, is enough. However, many people feel the need to express their deepest thoughts and concerns to that which is the source of all, to God, and they need to feel that God hears them and responds. There are many ways in which such communication can be expressed: through worshipful viewing of God and Goddess sculptures as the Hindus do in their worship; through the inner or spiritual eye as the mystics do; through silence as the Quakers and Buddhists do; through dreams; through body movements; and through words. All of these can be forms for prayer.

There is a great variety of types and methods of prayer in the world’s religions. In some religions, such as in many of the indigenous African religions, the God who created everything, becomes very distant and unavailable after creation is finished and people who wish to speak to a spiritual power, pray to the more familiar village Gods and Goddesses who care about them. In other religions, God is so powerful that it is dangerous for women and men to speak to God directly and it is necessary for there to be some kind of an intermediary such as a priest or priestess. Sometimes, one can only reach God through prescribed words, movements, or rituals. In other cases, however, humans are encouraged to speak directly from their hearts, in ordinary language, to God.

In some religions, it is believed that prayers are more pleasing to God or more effective if the one who is praying accompanies the words with certain body movements. In many religions, the one praying bows his or her head, sometimes accompanied by special placement of the hands. In Islam the faithful turn to face Mecca, kneel, and then lower their heads to the ground. Catholics enhance prayers by tracing the outline of a cross over their chests. At Shinto shrines, prayers are accompanied by hand clapping. Some Jews stand during prayers, rocking back and forth.

Many primary age children are likely to have experienced grace at a meal, a bedtime prayer, or a prayer in church though these prayers may not have been said on a regular basis. The idea that people can share thoughts and feelings with God, as well as with those who are close to them, may be appealing to many children. There are times when the people you are close to may not have the time to listen or, for a variety of reasons, they may not be an appropriate choice of a listener. It is comforting to know that there is a power that transcends ordinary relationships that is always available to listen and to respond.

Children can begin to understand "that power" as both greater than ourselves and yet also within us. The answer which comes to the girl in the story comes, not so much from a personified being as from within her own consciousness. It can be very helpful for children to learn to tap into a kind of "spiritual energy" which can provide support and encouragement. William James writes in The Varieties of Religious Experience, "the fundamental religious point is that in prayer, spiritual energy, which otherwise would slumber, does become active, and spiritual work of some kind is effected really." This kind of energy promotes the courage to overcome fears, as the girl in the story does.

At the same time, children, and all of us, should learn to avoid asking God to do something which is clearly impossible or which would only satisfy egotistical needs. They need experiences with prayers which express gratitude, concern for others, and otherwise promote spiritual growth. They, also, need to heed the advice offered by the grandmother in the story that the response to a prayer usually calls for listening, waiting, and being prepared for surprises; prayer does not guarantee instant gratification.

The importance of learning about prayer is supported by our Unitarian Universalist principle which encourages us to spiritual growth and by the source of direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces that create and uphold life.