Pray.
Synonyms:
| ask, | bid, | entreat, | invoke, | request, |
| beg, | call upon, | implore, | petition, | supplicate. |
| beseech, | conjure, | importune, | plead, | |
To pray, in the religious sense, is devoutly to address the Supreme Being with reverent petition for divine grace or any favor or blessing, and in the fullest sense with thanksgiving and praise for the divine goodness and mercy; the once common use of the word to express any earnest request, as "I pray you to come in," is now rare, unless in writings molded on older literature, or in certain phrases, as "Pray sit down;" even in these "please" is more common; "I beg you" is also frequently used, as expressing a polite humility of request. Beseech and entreat express great earnestness of petition; implore and supplicate denote the utmost fervency and intensity, supplicate implying also humility. Compare ASK; PLEAD.