be prayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be prayed" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not commonly used and may confuse readers, as it lacks context and clarity. Example: "I hope to be prayed for during difficult times."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Once inside dressing rooms, the missionaries ask the women if they want to be prayed for.

The New York Times

Disease, death, pain, and evil were imaginary afflictions that could be prayed away.

The New Yorker

Whatever was threatened more than 30 years ago cannot be prayed in aid now.

The Guardian - Opinion

I think, like a god, it should be prayed over in private.

The Guardian - Music

No one should be prayed for who does not want to be.

The Guardian - Opinion

After the sermon, Dr. Reisner asked all who would like to be prayed for to hold up their hands.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

They should be praying.

The New Yorker

I'd be praying constantly.

The New Yorker

But she may be praying for rain.

The Economist

The dancers periodically seem to be praying.

The New York Times - Arts

And where would that be, pray?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to someone receiving prayer, consider using more common and clearer alternatives like "receive prayers" or "be prayed for".

Common error

The phrase "be prayed" can be confusing. Ensure clarity by specifying who or what is receiving the prayer, such as "be prayed for".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be prayed" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that someone or something is the recipient of prayer. However, Ludwig AI notes that this phrasing isn't ideal, and it's often clearer to specify what is being prayed for or use a different construction. Examples in Ludwig show the phrase frequently followed by 'for' or 'over'.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

21%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Science

19%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be prayed" appears in various contexts, Ludwig AI considers it grammatically questionable and suggests that its meaning might not always be clear. The phrase functions as a passive verb construction and conveys the idea of receiving spiritual intercession. It's commonly found in News & Media and encyclopedic contexts. For clarity and better grammatical practice, consider alternatives like "be prayed for", "receive prayers", or "have someone pray for you". Using these alternatives enhances clarity and ensures grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

receive prayers

Focuses on the act of getting prayers directed towards someone.

be the recipient of prayer

Highlights the passive role of receiving prayer.

have someone pray for you

Emphasizes the action of another person praying on your behalf.

be a subject of prayer

Indicates being the focus or topic of prayer.

be offered prayers

Highlights the offering aspect of prayers directed to a person.

be remembered in prayer

Implies that someone is being thought of and included in prayers.

be kept in someone's prayers

Suggests ongoing prayer and remembrance.

be invoked in prayer

Emphasizes a formal calling upon during prayer.

be blessed

Implies a broader sense of receiving divine favor or a spiritual gift.

be given a prayer

Suggests that a prayer is given on someone's behalf.

FAQs

What does it mean to "be prayed for"?

To "be prayed for" means to be the subject of someone's prayers. It implies that someone is asking for divine intervention or blessings on your behalf.

Is it grammatically correct to say "be prayed"?

While you might encounter the phrase "be prayed", it's often clearer and more conventional to say "be prayed for" or "receive prayers".

What are some alternatives to using "be prayed" in a sentence?

Instead of "be prayed", you could use phrases like "be the recipient of prayer", "have someone pray for you", or "be offered prayers" depending on the specific context.

How can I use the phrase "be prayed for" correctly in a sentence?

You can use "be prayed for" in sentences like: "Members of the city's LGBTQ community were invited up to one church's altar to "be prayed over"". Alternatively, you can say "I asked my friends to "pray for me"".