prayer S3 W3 / preə $ prer / 名词

1 [可数名词] words that you say when praying to God or gods :

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

The children said their prayers and got into bed.

God has answered your prayer .

prayer for

a prayer for the dead → lord’s prayer

2 [不可数名词] when someone prays, or the regular habit of praying :

the power of prayer

a prayer meeting

in prayer

The congregation knelt in prayer.

3 [可数名词] a wish or hope that something will happen :

Her prayer was that she would pass her exams.

4 prayers [复数形式] a regular religious meeting in a church, school etc, at which people pray together :

Prayers are at eight o’clock.

5 not have a prayer (of doing something) informal to have no chance of succeeding :

He tried hard, but he didn’t have a prayer.

They don’t have a prayer of winning.

6 an/the answer to sb’s prayers informal something that someone wants or needs very much :

The job was an answer to my prayers.

→ on a wing and a prayer at wing 1 ( 10 )

COLLOCATIONS

动词

say a prayer Say a prayer for me.

utter a prayer formal (= say a prayer ) When she recovered, she uttered a prayer of thanks.

offer a prayer (= say a prayer in a formal way, often in a group ) Special prayers were offered for the boys during a service yesterday.

hear somebody’s prayer God must have heard my prayers.

answer somebody’s prayer (= respond to a prayer, especially by giving you what you ask for ) One day my prayers were answered.

be in somebody’s prayers (= be prayed for ) You are always in my prayers.

形容词

a silent prayer He said a silent prayer as he walked.

prayer + NOUN

a prayer book (= book containing prayers )

a prayer mat/rug (= small cloth on which Muslims kneel to pray )

a prayer meeting (= meeting at which people pray together )

a prayer service (= church service at which people pray )