INDEX:
1. to say a prayer
2. the activity of praying
3. an occasion when people pray together
RELATED WORDS
see also
↑ RELIGION
↑ BELIEVE (7)
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1. to say a prayer
▷ pray /preɪ/ [intransitive verb]
to speak to God or to a god, either silently or aloud, especially to ask for help or to express thanks :
▪ He got down on his knees and began to pray.
pray to God/the gods/Allah etc
▪ In her time of distress she prayed to Allah to help her.
pray for somebody
pray because someone needs help
▪ We pray for the sick and for their families.
pray for something
pray that something will happen
▪ As their crops wilted, the people prayed for rain.
pray (that)
▪ Carly’s parents are praying that the operation will succeed.
▷ worship /ˈwɜːʳʃɪp/ [intransitive/transitive verb]
to pray, sing, or take part in a religious ceremony, in order to show love and respect for God or a god :
▪ The whole family worshipped together at the chapel.
▪ the people worshipping in the mosque
▪ The Ancient Egyptians worshipped many gods.
▷ prayer /preəʳ/ [countable noun]
words that you say when you are praying :
prayer for
▪ Our prayers for peace have been answered.
▪ a prayer for the dead
say a prayer
▪ She knelt to say a prayer of profound thankfulness.
say your prayers
say prayers, usually at a regular time
▪ We always used to say our prayers before going to bed.
▷ grace /greɪs/ [uncountable noun]
a prayer thanking God for the food you are going to eat, said before a meal :
say grace
▪ Before we eat, I’d just like to say grace.
▷ be at prayer /biː ət ˈpreəʳ/ [verb phrase] formal
if someone is at prayer, they are praying at this moment :
▪ The saint appeared to him in a vision while he was at prayer.
2. the activity of praying
▷ prayer /preəʳ/ [uncountable noun]
▪ The synagogue is used for prayer and study.
▪ The monks here believe strongly in the power of prayer and meditation.
in prayer
while praying
▪ Their heads were bowed in prayer.
▷ worship /ˈwɜːʳʃɪp/ [uncountable noun]
the activity of praying, singing etc in a religious building, usually in a group, in order to show love and respect for God or a god :
▪ The villagers gather for worship in the little church every Sunday.
act of worship
▪ Christians, Muslims and Jews came together for an act of communal worship.
place of worship
▪ This church has been a place of worship for a thousand years.
3. an occasion when people pray together
▷ prayers /preəʳz/ [plural noun]
▪ They were forbidden to talk during prayers.
morning/evening prayers
▪ Immediately after supper Mrs Carey rang the bell for evening prayers.
▷ service /ˈsɜːʳvɪs, ˈsɜːʳvəs/ [countable noun]
a religious ceremony when people pray, sing etc together :
▪ We always go to the service on Sunday morning.
▪ There were usually most people at the evening service.
marriage/funeral/christening etc service
▪ The priest who performed the marriage service is a friend of the family.