To direct words, thoughts, or one's attention to God or any higher being, for the sake of adoration, thanks, petition for help, etc.
"The community gathered in silence to pray for peace and guidance from their deity."
In plain English: To pray is to speak directly to God asking for help, giving thanks, or sharing your thoughts and feelings with Him.
"She prayed for her family to stay safe before she left home."
Usage: Use "pray" as a verb when addressing a deity in prayer or making a formal, old-fashioned plea such as "I pray you listen." It is also commonly found in the fixed phrase "pray tell," which politely asks someone to provide information. Do not confuse this with using it simply to mean "hope for" without an act of supplication directed toward a higher power.
Please; used to make a polite request
"Pray tell me where you can find the nearest train station."
In plain English: To pray as an adverb means to do something while speaking directly to God for help or guidance.
"He prayed to win the lottery but ended up buying nothing anyway."
A surname.
"The local history club invited Mrs. Pray to speak about her family's early settlement in the valley."
The word "pray" entered Middle English from Anglo-Norman and Latin roots meaning to ask or make a request, eventually displacing the native Old English verb gebiddan. Its ultimate origin traces back to an ancient Indo-European root related to asking for something desired.