Each one of us (or at least most of us!) seems to have a differing view of what the definition of "prayer" is. We also seem to have a preconcieved notion that the way we "pray" is how all others should "pray." When we find out that there are actually people with whom we may have contact with in our lives who do not "pray" as we do, then many of us are scared! We might be most scared at the posibillity that said differing persons might be the ones praying. Ah . . . . "therin lies the rub." Most folks I know (I am in the midst of the above mentioned "Biblebelt".) would be completely aghast if it did happen that someone who believes in a manner other than they do would be . . .dare I say it . . ."praying" for them! Someone once asked me to sign a petition to force the state to allow "prayer" in the public schools. I asked that person, "If you have 'prayer' allowed in school, then persons with beliefs other than yours would have to be allowed to 'pray' in the school where your child attends." She was shocked! "I never thought about it like that!" [Obviously persons who believe that prayer is not allowed in schools has never seen students immediately prior to a math exam!] One must ascertain that it is not the "prayer" but the person doing the "praying" which scares people. I recall the Rabbi in "Fiddler on the Roof" being asked if there were a prayer for the much-hated Czar. The Rabbi replied:

"God bless the Czar, and keep the Czar . . .

Far away from us!" . . .it is now one of my favorite prayers! I merely insert the name of someone I wish to go away for the name "Czar!"