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View synonyms for prayer

prayer

1

[ prair ]

noun

  1. a devout petition to God or an object of worship.
  2. a spiritual communion with God or an object of worship, as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, or confession.
  3. the act or practice of praying to God or an object of worship.
  4. a formula or sequence of words used in or appointed for praying:

    the Lord's Prayer.

  5. prayers, a religious observance, either public or private, consisting wholly or mainly of prayer.
  6. that which is prayed for.
  7. the section of a bill in equity, or of a petition, that sets forth the complaint or the action desired.
  8. a negligible hope or chance:

    Do you think he has a prayer of getting that job?



prayer

2

[ prey-er ]

noun

  1. a person who prays.

prayer

1

/ ˈpreɪə /

noun

  1. a person who prays


prayer

2

/ prɛə /

noun

    1. a personal communication or petition addressed to a deity, esp in the form of supplication, adoration, praise, contrition, or thanksgiving
    2. any other form of spiritual communion with a deity
  1. 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
  2. the practice of praying

    prayer is our solution to human problems

  3. often plural a form of devotion, either public or private, spent mainly or wholly praying

    morning prayers

  4. capital when part of a recognized name a form of words used in praying

    the Lord's Prayer

  5. an object or benefit prayed for
  6. an earnest request, petition, or entreaty
  7. law a request contained in a petition to a court for the relief sought by the petitioner
  8. slang.
    a chance or hope

    she doesn't have a prayer of getting married

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Derived Forms

  • ˈprayerless, adjective

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Other Words From

  • prayerless adjective
  • prayerless·ly adverb
  • prayerless·ness noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of prayer1

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English preier(e), preire, from Old French priiere, preiere, from Medieval Latin precāria, noun use of feminine of precārius “given as a favor, obtained by entreaty,” equivalent to prec- (stem of prex ) “prayer, supplication” + -ārius -ary; precarious

Origin of prayer2

First recorded in 1350–1400; late Middle English preier(e), preyare; pray; -er 1( def ).

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Word History and Origins

Origin of prayer1

C13 preiere, from Old French, from Medieval Latin precāria, from Latin precārius obtained by begging, from prex prayer

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Example Sentences

Our prayers are with Ron’s wife, Susan, their three children, and their nine grandchildren.

You give prayers to the families that were involved, and especially the child that was involved.

One officer removed his hat, covered his face with the palm of his left hand and seemed to offer a silent prayer.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.

Hall, who has had covid, said a prayer and made the decision.

Before I go out on tour, I ask for prayer and to help my family.

After the Thursday prayer, the crowd of Congressional staff and lawmakers posed in the iconic, "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" pose.

At the end of his prayer, the grand mufti whispered aloud: “May God accept it.”

Highway safety flares provided light as the clans joined by loss sought solace in prayer and song.

You are also not allowed to film or photograph a royal ‘at prayer’.

The Alcalde remained kneeling for a short time by the side of the corpse, his lips moving in prayer.

He that adoreth God with joy, shall be accepted, and his prayer shall approach even to the clouds.

I will praise thy name continually, and will praise it with thanksgiving, and my prayer was heard.

The cow happily recovered, which the widow entirely attributed to the efficacy of her pastor's prayer.

As we learn more and more of the laws of Nature we put less and less reliance on the effect of prayer.

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prayprayer beads