answered prayer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "answered prayer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a prayer has been fulfilled or responded to positively. Example: "After months of hoping for a job, receiving the offer was truly an answered prayer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Religion

Personal Testimonials

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

To a young designer, it was an answered prayer.

The New York Times

This answered prayer does not come without a penalty.

The New York Times

As a face of the opposition, she's an answered prayer to the White House.

The New York Times

"Since we've been going to this clinic, it's just been an answered prayer," Ms. Barkhuizen said.

The New York Times - Health

But his career in Roosevelt's administration ended up a classic answered prayer.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Suggs still seems to think of the house as something of an answered prayer.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Answered Prayers.

The New York Times

They did things: healed sickness, answered prayers, heard complaints, gave advice.

The New York Times - Arts

At PTL Bakker preached only the love of God; God healed; God answered prayers, God forgave.

The New Yorker

For the ironic of mind, Maliki's stubborn stance recalls the dangers of answered prayers.

The Washington Post

The New Yorker, March 16, 1940 P. 33 Michael asked his father if God answered prayers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "answered prayer" to express deep gratitude and relief when a specific hope or request is realized, particularly in contexts where faith or belief is relevant. Ensure the context aligns with the phrase's religious or spiritual undertones.

Common error

Avoid using "answered prayer" in situations where a more general expression of wish fulfillment would be more appropriate. Overusing the phrase in secular contexts can sound out of place or insincere. Consider using "dream come true" or "wish fulfilled" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "answered prayer" functions primarily as a noun phrase that often acts as a subject complement or appositive. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is often used to express gratitude and relief when a desired outcome is achieved.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

HuffPost

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Los Angeles Times

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "answered prayer" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to express gratitude and relief when a specific hope or request is realized. According to Ludwig AI, it's commonly employed in News & Media and personal testimonials to convey thankfulness, often implying divine intervention. While the phrase is versatile, it is important to consider the register and avoid overuse in strictly secular contexts. Alternatives such as "dream come true" or "godsend" may be more appropriate in those settings. While correct, remember that context and audience are very important!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a godsend

Similar to "answered prayer" but emphasizes the beneficial and timely nature of the outcome.

dream come true

Shifts from a religious context to a more general expression of wish fulfillment.

wish fulfilled

Directly states that a wish has been granted, removing the religious connotation.

a stroke of luck

Emphasizes the fortunate aspect of the outcome, attributing it to chance rather than divine intervention.

relief at last

Focuses on the feeling of relief experienced after a long period of difficulty.

a fortunate turn of events

Highlights the positive change in circumstances that led to the desired outcome.

a welcome development

Emphasizes the positive and desirable nature of the outcome.

a fortunate break

Highlights the element of luck or chance in achieving the desired outcome.

a blessing in disguise

Suggests that an initially negative situation ultimately led to a positive outcome.

vindication

Focuses on being proven right or justified after a period of doubt or opposition.

FAQs

How can I use "answered prayer" in a sentence?

You can use "answered prayer" to describe a situation where a deeply desired outcome or request is realized. For example, "Finding a safe place to live after being homeless felt like an "answered prayer"".

What does it mean when something is described as an "answered prayer"?

When something is described as an "answered prayer", it means that a hope or request has been fulfilled, often implying a sense of gratitude and relief, and sometimes a belief in divine intervention.

What can I say instead of "answered prayer"?

You can use alternatives like "dream come true", "godsend", or "wish fulfilled" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "answered prayer" in a formal setting?

The appropriateness of using "answered prayer" in a formal setting depends on the context. It may be suitable in speeches or writings where expressing gratitude or acknowledging faith is relevant, but it might be less appropriate in strictly professional or secular settings.