prayer
[noun]
Synonyms:
- orison, devotion, invocation, litany, supplication
- plea, appeal, entreaty, petition, request, supplication

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Contrasted words: claim, demand, exaction
Related Words: begging, beseeching, imploring, pleading, adoration, worship

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

prayer S3 W3 /preə $ prer/ noun
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: preiere, from Latin precaria, from prex; ⇒ pray¹]

1. [countable] words that you say when praying to God or gods:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
The children said their prayers and got into bed.
God has answered your prayer.
prayer for
a prayer for the dead ⇒ LORD’S PRAYER

2. [uncountable] when someone prays, or the regular habit of praying:
the power of prayer
a prayer meeting
in prayer
The congregation knelt in prayer.

3. [countable] a wish or hope that something will happen:
Her prayer was that she would pass her exams.

4. prayers [plural] a regular religious meeting in a church, school etc, at which people pray together:
Prayers are at eight o'clock.

5. not have a prayer (of doing something) informal to have no chance of succeeding:
He tried hard, but he didn’t have a prayer.
They don’t have a prayer of winning.

6. an/the answer to sb’s prayers informal something that someone wants or needs very much:
The job was an answer to my prayers.
⇒ on a wing and a prayer at wing¹(10)

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

prayer
noun
ADJ. little, short | private, silent | special | fervent | evening, morning | daily | family
VERB + PRAYER offer (up), say, send up, utter I sent up a quick prayer and entered the interview room.
remember sb in Let us remember them in our prayers today.
hear | answer Does God answer our prayers?
kneel in The congregation knelt in prayer.
join in, meet for local groups meeting for prayer
have We had family prayers before breakfast.
attend Students are required to attend prayers twice a week.
PRAYER + NOUN book | mat, rug | meeting, service
PREP. at ~ He spends an hour each day at prayer.
in ~ She moved her lips in silent prayer.
~ for a prayer for peace
~ of I said a prayer of grateful thanks to God.
~ to
PHRASES the answer to (all) sb's prayers (= exactly what sb needs) The letter was the answer to her prayers.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

prayer

say a prayer
Say a prayer for me.
utter a prayer formal (=say a prayer)
When she recovered, she uttered a prayer of thanks.
offer a prayer (=say a prayer in a formal way, often in a group)
Special prayers were offered for the boys during a service yesterday.
hear somebody's prayer
God must have heard my prayers.
answer somebody's prayer (=respond to a prayer, especially by giving you what you ask for)
One day my prayers were answered.
be in somebody's prayers (=be prayed for)
You are always in my prayers.
a silent prayer
He said a silent prayer as he walked.
a prayer book (=book containing prayers)
a prayer mat/rug (=small cloth on which Muslims kneel to pray)
a prayer meeting (=meeting at which people pray together)
a prayer service (=church service at which people pray)

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲