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Do not fill this in! === Typologies and modalities === Christian circles often look to [[Friedrich Heiler]] (1892-1967), whose systematic ''Typology of Prayer'' lists six types of prayer: primitive, ritual, Greek cultural, philosophical, mystical, and prophetic.<ref>{{cite book|author=Erickson, Millard J.|title= Christian theology|publisher= Baker Book House|location= Grand Rapids|year= 1998|isbn= 978-0-8010-2182-4}}</ref> Some forms of prayer require a prior ritualistic form of cleansing or purification, such as in [[ghusl]] and [[wudhu]].<ref>The New Encyclopedia of Islam. p. 20, Cyril GlassΓ© (2003)</ref> Prayer may occur privately and individually (sometimes called '''affective prayer'''<ref> {{cite book |last1 = Rolheiser |first1 = Ronald |author-link1 = Ronald Rolheiser |date = 4 November 2013 |chapter = Practicing Affective Prayer |title = Prayer: Our Deepest Longing |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=4eHrAQAAQBAJ |publication-place = Cincinnati, Ohio |publisher = Franciscan Media |isbn = 9781616366575 |access-date = 17 September 2023 |quote = Private or 'affective' prayer has many forms β meditation, centering prayer, praying the rosary, and devotional prayers of all kinds. But affective prayer has a single aim:to draw us and our loved ones into deeper intimacy with Christ. }} </ref>), or corporately in the presence of fellow-believers. Prayer can be incorporated into a daily "thought life", in which one is in constant communication with a god. Some people pray throughout all that is happening during the day and seek guidance as the day progresses. This is actually regarded as a requirement in several Christian denominations,<ref name=catholic>{{Catholic |last= Wynne |first= John |volume= 12 |title= Prayer |url= http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12345b.htm |no-icon= 1 |prescript= }}</ref> although enforcement is not possible nor desirable. There can be many different answers to prayer, just as there are many ways to interpret an answer to a question, if there in fact comes an answer.<ref name=catholic/> Some may experience audible, physical, or mental epiphanies. If indeed an answer comes, the time and place it comes is considered{{cn|date=September 2023}} random. Some traditions distinguish between '''contemplative''' and '''meditative''' prayer.<ref> {{cite book |last1 = Keating |first1 = Thomas |author-link1 = Thomas Keating |date = 1 January 2002 |orig-date = 1986 |chapter = The History of Contemplative Prayer in the Christian Tradition |title = Open Mind, Open Heart: The Contemplative Dimension of the Gospel |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=pINxHWGTa6EC |edition = reprint |publication-place = New York |publisher = A&C Black |page = 21 |isbn = 9780826414205 |access-date = 17 September 2023 |quote = As the Sixteenth Century progressed, mental prayer came to be divided into discursive meditation if thoughts predominated; affective prayer if the emphasis was on acts of the will; and contemplation if graces infused by God were predominant. Discursive meditation, affective prayer, and contemplation were no longer different acts found in a single period of prayer, but distinct forms of prayer, each with its own proper aim, method and purpose. }} </ref> Outward acts that may accompany prayer include [[anointing with oil]];<ref>See, for example, {{bibleverse||James|5:14|NIV}}</ref> ringing a bell;<ref>{{cite web|last= Scheckel|first= Roger J.|title= The Angelus| publisher = The Marian Catechists|date= January 2004 |url= http://www.mariancatechist.com/html/spiritualdevelopment/prayer/sanctifyingyourdaywiththeangelus.htm |access-date=2008-10-06 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080623093915/http://www.mariancatechist.com/html/spiritualdevelopment/prayer/sanctifyingyourdaywiththeangelus.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2008-06-23}}</ref> burning [[incense]] or paper;<ref>{{cite web|title=Buddhist Art|publisher=Pacific Asia Museum|year= 2003|url= http://www.pacificasiamuseum.org/buddhism/html/essay4.htm |access-date=2008-10-06|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080704073342/http://www.pacificasiamuseum.org/buddhism/html/essay4.htm |archive-date=2008-07-04}}</ref> lighting a candle or candles; facing a specific direction (e.g., towards [[Mecca]]<ref name=Emerick>{{cite book|last= Emerick|first= Yahiya|author-link= Yahiya Emerick|title= The Complete Idiot's Guide to Islam|publisher= Alpha Books|year= 2002 |location= Indianapolis, IN|pages=[https://archive.org/details/completeidiotsgu00emer/page/127 127β28]|url= https://archive.org/details/completeidiotsgu00emer/page/127|isbn= 978-0-02-864233-8|url-access= registration}}</ref> or [[Ad orientem | the East]]<ref> See for example [[Origen]] ''On Prayer'', cited in {{cite book |last1 = Lang |first1 = Uwe Michael |date = 1 January 2009 |chapter = Direction of Prayer, Liturgy, and Church Architecture in the Early Church: Facing East: The Christian Direction of Prayer |title = Turning Towards the Lord: Orientation in Liturgical Prayer |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=568JDgAAQBAJ |publication-place = San Francisco |publisher = Ignatius Press |isbn = 9781681496085 |access-date = 17 September 2023 |quote = 'It should be immediately clear that the direction of the rising sun obviously indicates that we ought to pray inclining in that direction, an act which symbolizes the soul looking towards where ''the true light'' rises.' }} </ref>); and making the [[sign of the cross]]. One less noticeable act related to prayer is [[fasting]]. A variety of body postures may be assumed, often with specific meaning (mainly respect or adoration) associated with them: standing; sitting; kneeling; prostrate on the floor; eyes opened; eyes closed; [[Hand clasping|hands folded or clasped]]; hands upraised; [[holding hands]] with others; a laying on of hands and others. Prayers may be recited from memory, read from a book of prayers, or composed spontaneously as they are prayed. They may be said, chanted, or sung. They may or may not have a musical accompaniment. There may be a time of outward silence while prayers are offered mentally. Often, there are prayers to fit specific occasions, such as the blessing of a meal, the birth or death of a loved one, other significant events in the life of a believer, or days of the year that have special religious significance. Details corresponding to specific traditions are outlined below. 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