4. Why does the author mention the word "prayer" and "incantations" so closely together? Martha hastened to obey, and the priestly practitioner dampened it in water and laid it on Lucy's head, all the time
murmuring prayers - or were they incantations?" - to himself. Then he placed pieces of the paper on the soles of the
child's feet and on the palms of her hands, and bound them there
a. To emphasize the text is supernatural, since "prayer' and 'incantations go beyond the natural
world
b. To reveal words have great power, since "prayer" and "incantations are both powerful terms
C. To establish that Martha is very spiritual, since praying shows her faith
d. To suggest it's unclear whether the faith cure man practices religion or magic

Prayer alone with the Lord is powerful. Prayer with the community is most powerful, for the Lord himself said: “Where two or three are gathered in my name I am in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). Finally, however, we need to bear in mind that the Lord answers all prayer.

Explanation:

We can use prayer as a way of opening our hearts to God, not as a being living in an extra-dimensional heaven, but as the wellspring of creative energy within us and the universe. By quieting our minds, we can open ourselves to experience this divine ground directly.

(you didn't attach a copy of the poem, but i'm answering as best as i can)

since a simile compares two unlike things using like or as, it kind of gives an item the ability to do something it can't.

example: "the player was like a tiger on the field"

in this sentence, the simile conveys the idea that the player was fast and strong, like a tiger.