They had joined a religious order and dedicated their lives to prayer and good works.
The night was spent in prayer.
Synonyms: supplication, devotion, communion More Synonyms of prayer
2. countable noun
A prayer is the words a person says when they speak to God.
They should take a little time and say a prayer for the people on both sides.
...prayers of thanksgiving.
Synonyms: orison, litany, invocation, intercession More Synonyms of prayer
3. countable noun
You can refer to a strong hope that you have as your prayer.
This drug could be the answer to our prayers.
4. plural noun
A short religious service at which people gather to pray can be referred to as prayers.
He promised that the boy would be back at school in time for evening prayers.
...Muslims attending prayers in the main mosque.
5.
See to have not got a prayer
More Synonyms of prayer
prayer in British English1
(prɛə)
noun
1.
a.
a personal communication or petition addressed to a deity, esp in the form of supplication, adoration, praise, contrition, or thanksgiving
b.
any other form of spiritual communion with a deity
2.
a similar personal communication that does not involve adoration, addressed to beings venerated as being closely associated with a deity, such as angels or saints
3.
the practice of praying
prayer is our solution to human problems
4. (often plural)
a form of devotion, either public or private, spent mainly or wholly praying
morning prayers
5. (capital when part of a recognized name)
a form of words used in praying
the Lord's Prayer
6.
an object or benefit prayed for
7.
an earnest request, petition, or entreaty
8. law
a request contained in a petition to a court for the relief sought by the petitioner
9. slang
a chance or hope
she doesn't have a prayer of being chosen
Derived forms
prayerless (ˈprayerless)
adjective
Word origin
C13 preiere, from Old French, from Medieval Latin precāria, from Latin precārius obtained by begging, from prex prayer
prayer in British English2
(ˈpreɪə)
noun
a person who prays
prayer in American English1
(prɛr)
noun
1.
the act or practice of praying, as to God
2.
an earnest request; entreaty; supplication
3.
a.
a humble and sincere request, as to God
b.
an utterance, as to God, in praise, thanksgiving, confession, etc.
c.
any set formula for praying, as to God
4. [often pl.]
in some religions, a devotional service consisting chiefly of prayers
5.
any spiritual communion, as with God
6.
something prayed for or requested
7. US, Slang
a chance to succeed
I don't have a prayer
Word origin
ME preiere < OFr < ML precaria < L precarius, obtained by begging < precari, to entreat: see pray
prayer in American English2
(ˈpreɪər)
noun
a person who prays
More idioms containing
prayer
someone does not have a prayer of doing something
do something on a wing and a prayer
Examples of 'prayer' in a sentence
prayer
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They know that a little prayer is not going to wash the problem away.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We go through the chests and say prayers.
The Sun (2016)
Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She's the answer to their prayers.
The Sun (2016)
Say a prayer for him.
The Sun (2016)
When she became pregnant he felt like his prayers had been answered - but life in a war zone changed all that.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I'm told some were saying their prayers.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We are going to say prayers for the people concerned tonight.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Then he goes back to prayer again.
Christianity Today (2000)
Should local councillors be allowed to say prayers before they waste your money?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Thanks for all your prayers & good wishes.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Two out of five of them support daily prayers in schools.
Greeley, Andrew M. Sociology and Religion: A Collection of Readings (1995)
Thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
The Sun (2013)
Our hopes and prayers go out to the friends and families of those involved.
The Sun (2013)
For example, prayer speaks for the individual.
Greeley, Andrew M. Sociology and Religion: A Collection of Readings (1995)
Red Beard directed me to the office behind the main prayer hall.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Quotations
More things are wrought by prayer Than this world dreams ofAlfred, Lord TennysonMorte d'Arthur
When the gods wish to punish us they answer our prayersOscar WildeAn Ideal Husband
The wish for prayer is a prayer in itselfGeorges BernanosJournal d'un cure de campagne
In prayer the lips ne'er act the winning part, Without the sweet concurrence of the heartRobert HerrickThe Heart
One single grateful thought raised to heaven is the most perfect prayerG.E. LessingMinna von Barnhelm
In other languages
prayer
British English: prayer /prɛə/ NOUN
worshipPrayer is the activity of speaking to God.
The night was spent in prayer.
American English: prayer
Arabic: صَلاة
Brazilian Portuguese: oração prece
Chinese: 祈祷
Croatian: molitva
Czech: motlitba
Danish: bøn
Dutch: gebed
European Spanish: oración rezo
Finnish: rukous
French: prière
German: Gebet
Greek: προσευχή
Italian: preghiera
Japanese: 祈り
Korean: 기도 종교
Norwegian: bønn
Polish: modlitwa
European Portuguese: oração prece
Romanian: rugăciune
Russian: молитва
Latin American Spanish: oración rezo
Swedish: bön
Thai: ผู้สวดมนต์
Turkish: dua
Ukrainian: молитва
Vietnamese: lời cầu nguyện
British English: prayer NOUN
words A prayer is the words a person says when they speak to God.
They should take a little time and say a prayer for the people on both sides.
American English: prayer
Brazilian Portuguese: reza
Chinese: 祷词
European Spanish: oración
French: prière
German: Gebet
Italian: preghiera
Japanese: 祈りの言葉
Korean: 기도
European Portuguese: reza
Latin American Spanish: oración
All related terms of 'prayer'
prayer book
A prayer book is a book which contains the prayers which are used in church or at home .
prayer flag
a flag stamped with printed prayers , used by Himalayan Buddhists, who believe that its fluttering sends out the prayers inscribed on it
prayer mat
the small carpet on which Muslims kneel and prostrate themselves while saying prayers
prayer rug
the small carpet on which Muslims kneel and prostrate themselves while saying prayers
common prayer
the liturgy of public services of the Church of England, esp Morning and Evening Prayer
Lord's Prayer
The Lord's Prayer is a Christian prayer that was originally taught by Jesus Christ to his followers .
midday prayer
the fourth of the seven canonical hours ; sext
night prayer
the last of the seven canonical hours ; compline
prayer beads
the beads of the rosary
prayer shawl
→ tallit
prayer wheel
(esp in Tibet ) a wheel or cylinder inscribed with or containing prayers , each revolution of which is counted as an uttered prayer, so that such prayers can be repeated by turning it
Evening Prayer
the daily evening service of Bible readings and prayers prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer
morning prayer
the second of the canonical hours ; lauds
prayer meeting
A prayer meeting is a religious meeting where people say prayers to God.
prayer request
If you make a request , you politely or formally ask someone to do something.
midmorning prayer
the third of the seven canonical hours ; terce
midafternoon prayer
the fifth of the seven canonical hours; none
Prayer of Manasses
a book of the Old Testament Apocrypha attributed to → Manasseh , King of Judah
the Lord's Prayer
the prayer taught by Jesus Christ to his disciples , as in Matthew 6:9–13, Luke 11:2–4
Book of Common Prayer
the official book of church services of the Church of England, until 1980, when the Alternative Service Book was sanctioned
on a wing and a prayer
with only the slightest hope of succeeding
to have not got a prayer
If you say that someone hasn't got a prayer , you mean that it is impossible for them to succeed in what they are trying to do.
do something on a wing and a prayer
to do something in the hope that you will succeed , even though you do not have the proper resources for it, or are not properly equipped or prepared
someone does not have a prayer of doing something
said to mean that it is impossible for someone to achieve something
Chinese translation of 'prayer'
prayer
(prɛəʳ) (Rel)
n
(u) (= activity) 祷(禱)告 (dǎogào)
(c) (= words) 祈祷(禱)文 (qídǎowén) (篇, piān)
Derived Forms
prayersn pl (= service) 祈祷(禱)式 (qídǎoshì) : to say one's prayers祈祷(禱) (qídǎo)
1 (noun)
Definition
a form of devotion spent mainly praying
The night was spent in prayer and meditation.
Synonyms
supplication
devotion
communion
2 (noun)
Definition
a thanksgiving or an appeal spoken to one's God
prayers of thanksgiving
Synonyms
orison
litany
She recited a litany in an unknown tongue.
invocation
Please stand for the invocation.
intercession
Many claimed to have been cured as a result of her intercessions.
3 (noun)
Definition
an earnest request
Say a quick prayer I don't get caught in traffic.
Synonyms
plea
an impassioned plea to mankind to act to save the planet
appeal
The government issued a last-minute appeal to him to return.
suit
request
They agreed to his request for help.
petition
a humble petition to Saint Anthony
entreaty
They have resisted all entreaties to pledge their support for the campaign.
supplication (formal)
He raised his arms in a gesture of supplication.
Quotations
More things are wrought by prayer Than this world dreams of [Alfred, Lord Tennyson – Morte d'Arthur]When the gods wish to punish us they answer our prayers [Oscar Wilde – An Ideal Husband]The wish for prayer is a prayer in itself [Georges Bernanos – Journal d'un cure de campagne]In prayer the lips ne'er act the winning part, Without the sweet concurrence of the heart [Robert Herrick – The Heart]One single grateful thought raised to heaven is the most perfect prayer [G.E. Lessing – Minna von Barnhelm]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of appeal
Definition
an earnest request for money or help
The government issued a last-minute appeal to him to return.
Synonyms
plea,
call,
application,
request,
prayer,
petition,
overture,
invocation,
solicitation,
entreaty,
supplication (formal),
suit,
cry from the heart,
adjuration
in the sense of entreaty
Definition
an earnest request or plea
They have resisted all entreaties to pledge their support for the campaign.
Synonyms
plea,
appeal,
suit,
request,
prayer,
petition,
exhortation (formal),
solicitation,
supplication (formal),
importunity,
earnest request
in the sense of intercession
Definition
a prayer offered to God on behalf of others
Many claimed to have been cured as a result of her intercessions.
Synonyms
pleading,
prayer,
intervention,
plea,
mediation,
advocacy,
solicitation,
entreaty,
good offices,
supplication (formal),
karakia (New Zealand)
Synonyms of 'prayer'
prayer
Explore 'prayer' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of invocation
Definition
a prayer to God or another deity asking for help, forgiveness, etc.
Please stand for the invocation.
Synonyms
prayer,
chant,
supplication (formal),
orison,
karakia (New Zealand)
in the sense of litany
Definition
a prayer consisting of a series of invocations, each followed by the same response
She recited a litany in an unknown tongue.
Synonyms
prayer,
petition,
invocation,
supplication (formal),
set words
in the sense of petition
Definition
a formal application in writing made to a court asking for some specific judicial action