praying
Hands clasped, speaking
Praying is the act of addressing a god, spirit, or higher power—typically to give thanks, seek guidance, or ask for something.
The word extends to any fervent hoping: I'm praying the rain holds off.
A praying mantis holds its forelegs in a position resembling hands clasped in prayer.
Lowering onto bent legs
- rosaryBeaded prayer counter
- beadsSmall pierced ornaments for stringing
- incenseAnger greatly, or aromatic resin
- candlesWax lights with wicks
altar · chanting · liturgy · genuflection · prostration · bowing · folded hands · chapel
Religious reverence and praise
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
- pietySincere religious devotion
- fervorIntense emotional intensity
- faithfulnessDevoted loyalty maintained
devoutness · adoration · veneration · holiness · godliness · spirituality · communion · sacredness
Formal written appeal
- pleadingUrgent heartfelt request
- intercessionActing on another's behalf
- entreatyEarnest, urgent request
- beseechingUrgently pleading for something
imploring · appeal · invocation · request · orison · litany · crying out · desperation
Trust without proof
- trustConfidence in another
- longingIntense, persistent desire
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- aspirationStrong desire for achievement
expectation · anticipation · reliance · confidence · providence · comfort · solace · reassurance
Sustained reflective attention
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
- stillnessComplete lack of motion
- silenceTotal lack of sound
- centeringPositioning at midpoint
reflection · introspection · presence · breath · awareness · quiet · solitude · focus
kneeling
Lowering onto bent legs
- rosaryBeaded prayer counter
- beadsSmall pierced ornaments for stringing
- incenseAnger greatly, or aromatic resin
candles · altar · chanting · liturgy · genuflection · prostration · bowing · folded hands · chapel · mosque
worship
Religious reverence and praise
faithfulness · devoutness · adoration · veneration · holiness · godliness · spirituality · communion · sacredness · sanctity
petition
Formal written appeal
- pleadingUrgent heartfelt request
- intercessionActing on another's behalf
- entreatyEarnest, urgent request
beseeching · imploring · appeal · invocation · request · orison · litany · crying out · desperation · fervent
faith
Trust without proof
aspiration · expectation · anticipation · reliance · confidence · providence · comfort · solace · reassurance · perseverance
contemplation
Sustained reflective attention
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
- stillnessComplete lack of motion
- silenceTotal lack of sound
centering · reflection · introspection · presence · breath · awareness · quiet · solitude · focus · inner peace
- gerundswalking, running, talking, eating, sleeping
- habitshabit, habits, bad habit, study habits, rituals
- routinesmorning routine, habits, routines, morning routines, procedures
- worshipadoration, praise God, hallelujah, genuflection, devotional
- worship actskneeling, prostration, genuflection, bowing, obeisance
- pleadingpleading, begging, beseeching, imploring, entreating
prayingcursing
Using profane language
blaspheming · renouncing · denying · rejecting · profaning
prayingdemanding
Requiring great effort
commanding · ordering · insisting · dictating · requiring
prayingignoring
Deliberately not noticing
neglecting · disbelieving · doubting · nonpraying · forsaking
- praying mantisPredatory insect with grasping forelegs
- praying mantisesPredatory insects with grasping forelimbs
- Praying HandsDevotional gesture of worship
- praying to the porcelain godVomiting into a toilet
- praying the gay awayReligious effort to alter attraction
- praying shawlsRitual Jewish prayer garments