What's the difference between rezar and orar? Are there any other ways to say 'to pray'?

Question

My teacher told me that different religions tend to use different words for "to pray", usually choosing between rezar and orar. Which words are preferred by what religions & in which areas? Are there any other subtle differences between the two? Are there any other ways to express "to pray", perhaps in a religion neutral way, as to avoid offending anyone?

Answer 1

Usually both words are used as synonyms, but as you mention it depends on the religion.

In Mexico where most people are Roman Catholics both words tend to be used interchangeably, however, non-Catholic Christians tend to make a distinction, using Rezar for "reciting" (usually like reading parts of the Bible or reciting a memorized prayer like the Padre Nuestro), while Orar is usually used for kind of a "free-style" praying (either verbally or mentally, "speaking" with God with the praying person's own words and feelings if you will). While not very common, I've seen verbs like pedir, rogar & suplicar to be used when refering to orar's begging/asking sense.

Overall, as a native Spanish speaker, I think orar is the most neutral of the 2 (due to it's free-style kind of sense), but I guess it depends a lot on the culture.

Answer 2

I consider “orar” and “rezar” as synonims.

In Spain, “rezar” is much more usual when speaking; “orar” sounds more formal and even solemn.

It turns out that the DRAE introduces a distinction between both terms, defining “orar” as “hacer oración a Dios” and “rezar” as “dirigir oraciones a Dios o a personas santas”. I am amazed of hearing about this major diference for the first time in my life, although I suspect this supposed difference in meaning is obsolete; in any case, it’s vastly ignored by the people. I wonder if it subsists as a religious technicallity, but I doubt it.

Answer 3

I think they are almost equivalent. I have the subtle feeling that "rezar" involves a bit more the notion of a being (call it God, a saint, etc) taking part in a spiritual discussion, for example, there is one popular saying "rézale a tu santo", that means: "pray to your saint". In the other hand I have the feeling that "orar" is a bit more general, you can do it creating a mental representation of a spiritual being, or you can just try to be in peace with the world (and with yourself) in the process, or anything else that does not necessarily involve a discussion with someone.

As I said at the beginning, this is just the intuition I have as a native speaker.

Answer 4

http://kyreles.blogspot.com/2013/05/spanish-praying.html I did a blog post about this very topic!