prayer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prayer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to religious or spiritual communication, often referring to a request or expression of thanks directed to a deity. Example: "She offered a silent prayer for her friend's recovery during the difficult times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And my one prayer to God, the miracle worker, was that I would wake up lighter-skinned".

The Guardian - Film

Ninety-two corpses have been found in the Niger desert; mothers with braided hair and infants strapped to their backs, children with Qur'anic boards tucked under their arms, old men in prayer caps and long robes.

The Guardian - Opinion

I put the baby in her cot, where she was instantly lulled to sleep by the sounds of the call to prayer that rang out across the old city, and took my book to the terrace to enjoy the first of what was to be many "little" glasses of wine.

The Guardian - Travel

Shooting 26 searchlights 10km into the skies, and blaring its call to prayer 7km across the valley, the Abraj al-Bait is also the world's second tallest building.

The Guardian - Arts

Along the western flank of the city are the first towers of the Jabal Omar development, a sprawling complex that will eventually accommodate 100,000 people in 26 luxury hotels – sitting on another gargantuan plinth of 4,000 shops and 500 restaurants, along with its own six-storey prayer hall.

The Guardian - Arts

Thomas Ryan was kneeling down, whispering a prayer into the ears of another dying man when he was himself shot.

The Guardian

We said a prayer and we lay down, but we didn't sleep.

The Guardian

But the road was calling, just as it had done yesterday, when neither of us had wanted to leave Dar Ayniwen, a beautiful house in Marrakech's Palmeraie suburb, where we had lazed on the terrace and sipped gin and tonics as the call to prayer echoed through the dusk.

The Guardian - Travel

The poll tax was fought by cabinet ministers who had supported every deregulation, and trialling it on the Scots answered every SNP prayer.

The Guardian

The Daily Star continues: After the prayer, Assad was shown [on state TV] spending time with other worshippers, greeting and chatting with some of them.

The Guardian

As for faith itself, we hardly give a prayer for the power of prayer – only 6% of people confess to being churchgoing (and the figures do not show how many of those attend to access a food bank…).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prayer" to mean 'hope' or 'chance', ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. For example, "They don't have a prayer of winning" is understandable, but might be replaced with a more precise term if clarity is paramount.

Common error

Avoid using "prayer" in secular contexts where a request or hope doesn't involve a spiritual or religious element. Using it too broadly can dilute its meaning or seem out of place.

Linguistic Context

The noun "prayer" functions primarily as a means of communication with a deity or a spiritual entity. Ludwig's examples show it denoting both the act of praying and the specific words or methods used. It also extends metaphorically to express a deep hope or request.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Travel

10%

Arts

8%

Less common in

Books

5%

Opinion

4%

Lifestyle

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "prayer" is versatile, primarily denoting communication with a deity or spiritual entity, but also extending to express a strong hope. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. While predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it appears in Travel and Arts as well. Be mindful of the potential for misinterpretation in secular settings and consider alternative expressions like "supplication" or "hope" depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supplication

A more formal term for a humble request, often to a deity.

petition

Focuses on the act of making a formal request.

entreaty

Highlights the act of earnestly asking or pleading.

plea

A strong and urgent request, often born out of desperation.

invocation

Refers to calling upon a deity or spirit, often at the beginning of a ceremony.

devotion

Emphasizes the dedication and religious feeling in communicating with a higher power.

orison

An archaic term for prayer, suggesting a more traditional or liturgical context.

spiritual communion

Emphasizes the personal and intimate connection with the divine.

benediction

A blessing or expression of good wishes, often invoked at the end of a religious service.

act of worship

Broader term encompassing prayer as part of a religious practice.

FAQs

How to use "prayer" in a sentence?

You can use "prayer" to describe the act of communicating with a deity, as in, "She offered a silent prayer." It can also refer to the words used in praying, like "The Lord's Prayer". Finally, it can describe a hope, as in "They don't have a prayer of winning".

What can I say instead of "prayer"?

You can use alternatives like "supplication", "devotion", or "petition" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "prayer" and "meditation"?

"Prayer" generally involves communication with a deity or higher power, often involving specific requests or expressions of gratitude. "Meditation", on the other hand, is more focused on personal reflection and achieving a state of mental clarity and calmness.

Is it appropriate to use "prayer" in a non-religious context?

While "prayer" is primarily associated with religious contexts, it can be used metaphorically to express a strong hope or desire. However, be mindful of the audience and context to avoid causing offense or misunderstanding. Consider using alternatives like "hope" or "wish" in secular settings.