prayer
/prɛː
/noun
1A solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or another deity: I’ll say a prayer for him [mass noun]: the peace of God is ours through prayer...
- The milder and more beneficent forces of nature were addressed as female deities and invoked with prayers.
- Human beings are addressing God in prayers for help against the inducements of the devil.
- God answers our prayers because by addressing them to Him we acknowledge His Lordship and power.
Synonyms
invocation, intercession, devotion
archaic orison
1.1 (prayers) A religious service, especially a regular one, at which people gather in order to pray together: 500 people were detained as they attended Friday prayers...
- With your graciousness come to honor her loving memory during the funeral services and prayers.
- The mosque is now used by about 100 people for regular prayers and up to 200 for religious festivals.
- The strike came as worshippers had gathered for afternoon prayers, witnesses said.
1.2An earnest hope or wish: it is our prayer that the current progress on human rights will be sustained...
- Swan will carry the hopes and prayers of Ireland as the country's current equine hero seeks to retain his crown.
- She started the restaurant when her marriage dissolved, on little but hope and prayers.
- Our deepest sympathies, prayers and best wishes go out to our fellow citizens who were injured in the blast.
Phrases
not have a prayer
Origin
Middle English: from Old French preiere, based on Latin precarius 'obtained by entreaty', from prex, prec- 'prayer'.
precarious from mid 17th century:
This is from Latin precarius ‘obtained by entreaty’, from prex, prec- ‘prayer’. The notion is one of something being dependent on the good grace of somebody else (needing entreaty), and therefore uncertain. Prayer (Middle English) is from the same word.