Prayer, Meditation - is there a difference?

[BrMichael]

Some religions use prayer, some use meditation, some use chanting, some use a combination.

I've always looked at them as basically serving the same purpose. When I use my rosary, many of "prayers" I say are actually more like vows or affirmations, not really prayers in the asking-God-for-something sense. Long before I have finished the first tredectet (a group similar to a decade) I find myself in a wonderful meditative state.

Do you pray, meditate, do both? What would you say is the difference in purpose?

PS - come on new people...I see new people joining daily, but I'm not seeing new posts. Join in!

[galaxee]

Br. Michael I realize this is from a month ago so I'll catch up . Personally I prefer to hear meditative prayer in a chant form ( the Divine Chaplet- catholic) but also Primitive chants from eastern traditional monks. My prayers said daily and at church are spoken in traditional form. Is there a difference of course there is , each affects the body and soul in a unique way.The important part is that they cause us to become still and with stillness there is comfort there is breath and there is peace that can't be found at any other time.