prayer

prayer — noun

1. spoken or silent words used when a person turns to God for thanks, help, or comf

1.名詞B1
釋義

spoken or silent words used when a person turns to God for thanks, help, or comfort.

例句

Mina whispered a prayer before the doctor entered her father's room.

whisper a prayer before [event]

The children learned a short prayer to say before dinner each night.

fixed prayer before meals

同義詞
  • supplication

    more formal and stresses a very earnest request for help

  • blessing

    narrower; often gives thanks or asks for care in a special moment such as a meal

  • invocation

    formal word for words calling on God, often at the opening of an event

文法句型

say a prayer

a prayer for [person/thing]

a prayer of thanks

用法筆記

Often used with verbs like 'say', 'whisper', and 'hear', and with 'for' when naming the person or thing being prayed for.

常見錯誤

❌The family met for a prayer every Wednesday evening.
✅The family met for prayer every Wednesday evening.
💡when you mean the activity or service, 'prayer' is usually uncountable; 'a prayer' is one set of words.

2. the practice of praying, either alone or as part of a religious gathering.

2.名詞B2
釋義

the practice of praying, either alone or as part of a religious gathering.

例句

The hall stays open all day for prayer and quiet reading.

for prayer

Hundreds gathered for evening prayer after the earthquake.

evening prayer for a service

同義詞
  • worship

    broader and includes singing, reading, and other religious acts, not only prayer

  • devotion

    can mean regular religious practice and often sounds slightly more formal

  • service

    focuses on the organized meeting, not only the praying within it

文法句型

for prayer

during prayer

turn to prayer

用法筆記

Usually uncountable in phrases like 'in prayer', 'during prayer', and 'turn to prayer'. Use sense 1 for one specific text or set of words.

常見錯誤

❌She wrote a beautiful prayer before bed, and it helped her sleep.
✅She prayed before bed, and it helped her sleep.
💡this sense is the activity itself, not a written text.

3. a deeply desired result, or an urgent request for it, in a difficult situation.

3.名詞C1
釋義

a deeply desired result, or an urgent request for it, in a difficult situation.

例句

Peace was every parent's prayer after months of war.

figurative use: somebody's prayer

The villagers' prayer was for clean water before the next dry season.

同義詞
  • wish

    weaker and more general; not usually as serious or urgent

  • hope

    broader everyday word for wanting something good to happen

  • plea

    focuses on urgently asking a person or authority, not the hoped-for result itself

文法句型

somebody's prayer

a prayer for [result]

answer somebody's prayer

用法筆記

Common in literary or emotional writing, especially when people are facing danger, loss, or great need. Distinguish from sense 2: here 'prayer' means the hoped-for result, not the act of praying.

常見錯誤

❌My prayer is to visit Japan next spring.
✅My wish is to visit Japan next spring.
💡this figurative sense is usually used for serious needs or strong emotional hopes, not ordinary plans.