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prayer
(redirected from prayers)

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.07 sec.
prayer 1  (prâr)
n.
1.
a. A reverent petition made to God, a god, or another object of worship.
b. The act of making a reverent petition to God, a god, or another object of worship.
2. An act of communion with God, a god, or another object of worship, such as in devotion, confession, praise, or thanksgiving: One evening a week, the family would join together in prayer.
3. A specially worded form used to address God, a god, or another object of worship.
4. prayers A religious observance in which praying predominates: morning prayers.
5.
a. A fervent request: Her prayer for rain was granted at last.
b. The thing requested: His safe arrival was their only prayer.
6. The slightest chance or hope: In a storm the mountain climbers won't have a prayer.
7. Law
a. The request of a complainant, as stated in a complaint or in equity, that the court grant the aid or relief solicited.
b. The section of the complaint or bill that contains this request.

[Middle English preiere, from Old French, from Medieval Latin precria, from feminine of Latin precrius, obtained by entreaty, from precr, to entreat; see pray.]

pray·er 2  (prr)
n.
One who prays.

prayer 1
Noun
1. a thanksgiving or an appeal spoken to one's God
2. a set form of words used in praying: the Lord's Prayer
3. an earnest request
4. the practice of praying: call the faithful to prayer
5. (often pl) a form of devotion spent mainly praying: morning prayers
6. something prayed for

prayer 2
Noun
a person who prays
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.prayerprayer - the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving); "the priest sank to his knees in prayer"
worship - the activity of worshipping
devotion - (usually plural) religious observance or prayers (usually spoken silently); "he returned to his devotions"
benediction, blessing - the act of praying for divine protection
2.prayer - reverent petition to a deity
prayer wheel - a cylinder with prayers written on it; each revolution counts as uttering the prayers; used especially by Buddhists in Tibet
asking, request - the verbal act of requesting
benediction, blessing - a ceremonial prayer invoking divine protection
collect - a short prayer generally preceding the lesson in the Church of Rome or the Church of England
commination - prayers proclaiming God's anger against sinners; read in the Church of England on Ash Wednesday
deprecation - a prayer to avert or remove some evil or disaster
thanksgiving, blessing, grace - a short prayer of thanks before a meal; "their youngest son said grace"
intercession - a prayer to God on behalf of another person
invocation, supplication - a prayer asking God's help as part of a religious service
requiescat - a prayer for the repose of the soul of a dead person
3.prayerprayer - earnest or urgent request; "an entreaty to stop the fighting"; "an appeal for help"; "an appeal to the public to keep calm"
asking, request - the verbal act of requesting
adjuration - a solemn and earnest appeal to someone to do something
demagoguery, demagogy - impassioned appeals to the prejudices and emotions of the populace
plea, supplication - a humble request for help from someone in authority
solicitation - an entreaty addressed to someone of superior status; "a solicitation to the king for relief"
suit - a petition or appeal made to a person of superior status or rank
courting, courtship, wooing, suit - a man's courting of a woman; seeking the affections of a woman (usually with the hope of marriage); "its was a brief and intense courtship"
4.prayer - a fixed text used in praying
religious text, religious writing, sacred text, sacred writing - writing that is venerated for the worship of a deity
Agnus Dei - a liturgical prayer beginning with these Latin words
Mass - a sequence of prayers constituting the Christian Eucharistic rite; "the priest said Mass"
Shema - a liturgical prayer (considered to be the essence of Jewish religion) that is recited at least twice daily by adult Jewish males to declare their faith; "as soon as Leonard learned to talk he was taught to recite the first words of the Shema, the creed of Judaism which originated on Sinai with Moses and is recited daily"
5.prayer - someone who prays to God
religious person - a person who manifests devotion to a deity
beadsman, bedesman - a person who is paid to pray for the soul of another

prayer
Translations
prayer [prɛəʳ] noración f; rezo (= entreaty); ruego, súplica
prayer [prɛəʳ] pray nprière f
prayer [prɛəʳ] pray nGebet nt;
to say one's prayers → beten
prayer [prɛəʳ] npreghiera


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