pray
Speak to heaven
To pray is to address a god or spiritual power, typically in petition or thanks: She prayed for her mother's recovery.
The word extends to earnest requests directed at anyone: I pray you'll reconsider.
The interjection pray tell is an old-fashioned or ironic way of saying "please explain."
Plead urgently with someone
- imploreUrge with desperation
- pleadAsk urgently or formally
- supplicateBeg earnestly and humbly
- invokeCall upon formally
appeal · petition · intercede · adjure · beg · ask · request · crave
Beaded prayer counter
- meditationFocused attention practice
- pilgrimageReligious journey to shrine
- pietySincere religious devotion
- venerationProfound admiring respect
faithful · monk · nun · monastery · abbey · saints · psalms · novena
Sacred ritual table
- templeSacred worship structure
- mosqueIslamic house of worship
- churchPlace of Christian worship
- synagogueJewish house of worship
shrine · chapel · cathedral · congregation · clergy · sermon · liturgy · pew
Yearned-for outcome
- aspirationStrong desire for achievement
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- longingIntense, persistent desire
- desireIntense wanting
faith · trust · expectation · anticipation · belief · optimism · intention · dream
Ease or soothing relief
- consolationComfort during distress
- refugePlace of safety
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- peaceFreedom from disturbance
serenity · reassurance · succor · balm · relief · haven · quietude · stillness
Lowering onto bent legs
- bowingBending forward in deference
- prostrationUtter physical or mental depletion
- fastingDeliberate food avoidance
- ablutionRitualized washing of body
offering · ceremony · procession · sacrament · rite · genuflection · incantation · blessing
beseech
Plead urgently with someone
- imploreUrge with desperation
- pleadAsk urgently or formally
- supplicateBeg earnestly and humbly
invoke · appeal · petition · intercede · adjure · beg · ask · request · crave · importune
rosary
Beaded prayer counter
- meditationFocused attention practice
- pilgrimageReligious journey to shrine
- pietySincere religious devotion
veneration · faithful · monk · nun · monastery · abbey · saints · psalms · novena · vigil
altar
Sacred ritual table
synagogue · shrine · chapel · cathedral · congregation · clergy · sermon · liturgy · pew · choir
wish
Yearned-for outcome
- aspirationStrong desire for achievement
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- longingIntense, persistent desire
desire · faith · trust · expectation · anticipation · belief · optimism · intention · dream
comfort
Ease or soothing relief
- consolationComfort during distress
- refugePlace of safety
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
peace · serenity · reassurance · succor · balm · relief · haven · quietude · stillness · calm
kneeling
Lowering onto bent legs
- bowingBending forward in deference
- prostrationUtter physical or mental depletion
- fastingDeliberate food avoidance
ablution · offering · ceremony · procession · sacrament · rite · genuflection · incantation · blessing · invocation
- venerationvenerate, revere, reverence, glorify, exalt
- worship verbsbless, anoint, baptize, consecrate, ordain
- desperate measureslast resort, desperate plea, desperation move, last ditch, last chance
- Emojissmile, smiley face, grin, heart emoji, grinning
- wantingwant, desire, crave, yearn, long
- Soul-searchingcontemplate, reflect, meditate, ponder, muse
praytake matters into one's own hands
Act independently without permission
seize · grab · take · force · self-reliance
- Friday prayersWeekly Islamic communal worship
- call to prayerReligious worship summons
- praying mantisPredatory insect with grasping forelegs
- bedtime prayersDevotional words before sleep
- prayer beadsCounting aid for worship
- prayer bookText for religious devotions
prayer, prayers, prayed, praying, prays, prayerful, prayerfully, prayerfulness, prayerbook