maintain prayer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain prayer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is discussing the importance of continuing or upholding the practice of prayer in personal or communal settings. Example: "In times of uncertainty, it is essential to maintain prayer as a source of strength and guidance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

All summer, a loosely knit coalition of conservative organizations and religious denominations have worked on ways to legally maintain prayer at student gatherings, and the solution was on display Friday night: a planned recitation of the Lord's Prayer, immediately after the National Anthem, by students and parents who have not sought permission from the school to do so.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

While Israel has pledged to maintain Muslim prayer rights at al-Aqsa, young Muslim men have been frequently banned from entering the area.

Vice

Seraphim maintained that prayer was not limited to the cloistered mystic but was within the capacity of any Christian.

Encyclopedia Britannica

According to the Washington Blade, it was the Presidential Inaugural Committee that made the decision for the prayer to be a part of the pre-show and not the show, itself, with a spokesman from that committee maintaining the prayer was dropped through an unspecified "error".

Wikipedia

The more you maintain these daily prayers, the more you will see yourself coming back to Islam and becoming a better Muslim.

WikiHow

The MSA shall strive to establish and maintain the Friday (Juma'a) prayers throughout the year, prayers and celebrations for both Eids, and iftaar (fast-break) meals during Ramadan.

Princeton University

Qaddafi loyalists kidnapped him and fellow journalist Clare Morgana Gillis and held them captive for 44 days, during which time, Foley later recounted, he often turned to prayer to maintain hope.

HuffPost

Some people make it their goal to maintain a state of prayer all the time by remaining conscious of their spiritual connection throughout the day.

WikiHow

This includes maintaining the community prayer board, meeting regularly to pray for the Divinity School community, and working with the Office of the Divinity School chaplain to coordinate appropriate responses to students in crisis or with special needs.

Duke University

The Habibs do not encourage them aggressively to separate themselves from secular society – by wearing Yemeni-style niqab or refusing to work outside the home, for instance – but to maintain their spiritual purity through prayer and study.

The Guardian

Leadership and staff should consider the Middle Eastern work week, respect prayer times, and maintain a flexible approach to scheduling meetings and trainings.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing religious practices, use "maintain prayer" to emphasize the active effort required to continue a prayer tradition within a community or personal life.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain prayer" in contexts where religious practices are irrelevant or inappropriate, as it can sound out of place or insensitive. Instead, opt for more neutral phrases like "continue traditions" or "uphold values".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain prayer" functions as a verb phrase, where "maintain" acts as a transitive verb taking "prayer" as its direct object. Ludwig provides examples that demonstrate how it is used to describe the act of continuing or upholding the practice of prayer.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "maintain prayer" is a phrase used to describe the continuation of prayer practices. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in contexts related to religion, spirituality, and community traditions. Though examples are somewhat limited, the phrase's meaning is clear, and the sources are varied, spanning from news media to academic settings. The most common error to avoid is using the phrase in irrelevant or inappropriate secular contexts. Alternatives such as "continue praying" or "uphold prayer" may be more suitable depending on the particular nuance you are trying to convey. Ludwig's analysis suggests the phrase carries a tone of commitment and is generally considered acceptable and understandable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue praying

A more straightforward way of expressing the act of praying continuously.

continue in prayer

Focuses on the continuous aspect of prayer, emphasizing ongoing devotion.

uphold prayer

Emphasizes the act of supporting and defending the practice of prayer.

sustain prayer

Highlights the need to provide support and keep prayer alive.

ensure regular prayer

Focuses on making sure that prayer is done consistently and routinely.

preserve prayer

Focuses on the effort to protect prayer from being diminished or lost.

keep up prayer

Suggests a need to adhere consistently to a prayer routine.

keep the faith through prayer

Adds the element of faith to the act of praying, reinforcing its importance.

promote prayer

Highlights the act of encouraging prayer within a community or group.

foster a culture of prayer

Suggests creating an environment where prayer is valued and practiced.

FAQs

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

You can use "maintain prayer" to describe the act of continuing regular prayer, such as: "It's important to "maintain prayer" during difficult times".

What does it mean to "maintain prayer"?

"Maintain prayer" means to continue practicing prayer regularly and consistently, often to uphold spiritual well-being or religious traditions.

Are there any alternatives to the phrase "maintain prayer"?

Yes, alternatives include "continue praying", "uphold prayer", or "sustain a practice of prayer", depending on the specific context and emphasis you want to convey.

Is "maintain prayer" formal or informal?

"Maintain prayer" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the setting and the audience. However, it is generally associated with religious or spiritual discussions.