---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I say things that can be defined as…"
description: "\"I say things that can be defined as prayers. But I don't pray to a power or ask an entity to intercede in the earthly scheme, because I don't believe t..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/611/george-carlin-155_asks_i-say-things-that-can-be-defined-as-pray_67281.jpg"
---

#  I say things that can be defined as prayers. But I don't…

![“I say things that can be defined as prayers. But I don't pray to a power or ask an entity to intercede in the earthly scheme, because I don't believe that happens. But if I see a really unfortunate person in the street, I do pray, yes, though I suppose it's really more like a mantra to ease my own…” quote by George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/611/george-carlin-155_asks_i-say-things-that-can-be-defined-as-pray_67281.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/611/george-carlin-155_asks_i-say-things-that-can-be-defined-as-pray_67281.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/611/george-carlin-155_asks_i-say-things-that-can-be-defined-as-pray_67281.jpg)

> “I say things that can be defined as prayers. But I don't pray to a power or ask an entity to intercede in the earthly scheme, because I don't believe that happens. But if I see a really unfortunate person in the street, I do pray, yes, though I suppose it's really more like a mantra to ease my own sorrow.”

[George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker treats personal utterances as prayers, not to invoke divine intervention but to console themselves when confronting suffering.

**In simple terms:** Self‑soothing through ritual speech.

Key Takeaway

Prayer can be a personal coping tool, not a request for supernatural aid.

Themes

self‑reflection spirituality compassion psychology ritual

Mood

contemplative empathetic introspective

Type

personal philosophical

When to use this quote

- witnessing hardship
- feeling helpless
- seeking personal peace

Key Concepts

prayer as mantra inner solace human empathy

Practical Applications

- mindfulness practice
- emotional regulation

Questions to Reflect On

- How does framing a prayer as a mantra change its impact?
- Can personal rituals replace organized religion for some?

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## Related quotes

> [“100 percent of the prayers I don’t pray won’t get answered.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-batterson/100-percent-of-the-prayers-i-don-t-pray-won-t-get-answered/)

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> [“God won’t answer 100 percent of the prayers we don’t pray.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-batterson/god-won-t-answer-100-percent-of-the-prayers-we-don-t-pray/)

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> [Well-developed faith results in well-defined prayers, and well-defined prayers result in a well-lived life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-batterson/well-developed-faith-results-in-well-defined-prayers-and-well-defined/)

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> [Give us, we pray, the power to discern clearly right from wrong, and allow all our words and actions to be governed thereby, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/give-us-we-pray-the-power-to-discern-clearly-right-from-wrong-and/)

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> [Don't pray an easy life but pray for your strength in difficulties...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianette-carbito/don-t-pray-an-easy-life-but-pray-for-your-strength-in-difficulties/)

[Marianette Carbito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianette-carbito/)

## More by George Carlin

> [I never go anywhere or do anything that transports me outside the boundaries of my mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/i-never-go-anywhere-or-do-anything-that-transports-me-outside-the/)

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