pray

1. (religion) To direct words, thoughts, or one's attention to a deity or any higher being, for the sake of adoration, thanks, petition for help, etc.Examples: "Muslims pray in the direction of Mecca."; "Pray to the small gods and hope that they may hear thee. Yet what mercy should the small gods have, who themselves made Death and Pain; or shall they restrain their old hound Time for thee?"; "This can't happen. You can't die! You're the Emissary! [...] Captain, I know my beliefs make you uncomfortable around me sometimes, and that maybe that's why you keep me at arm's length. But I don't care about that right now, and I am going to pray, because I don't know what else to do."

2. (obsolete) To ask earnestly for; to seek to obtain by supplication; to entreat for.Examples: "I know not how to pray your patience."obsolete

3. (obsolete or law) To implore, to entreat, to request.Examples: "They prayd him sit, and gave him for to feed Such homely what as serves the simple clowne, That doth despise the dainties of the towne[…]"; "In time of drought the Abchases of the Caucasus sacrifice an ox to Ap-hi, the god of thunder and lightning, and an old man prays him to send rain, thunder, and lightning, telling him that the crops are parched."; "I humbly pray to the Honorable Court for the order for the removal of the publication which contains fake news to be granted."obsolete