I pray

Pray Pray, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Prayed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Praying}.] [OE. preien, OF. preier, F. prier, L. precari, fr. prex, precis, a prayer, a request; akin to Skr. prach to ask, AS. frignan, fr[=i]nan, fricgan, G. fragen, Goth. fra['i]hnan. Cf. {Deprecate}, {Imprecate}, {Precarious}.] To make request with earnestness or zeal, as for something desired; to make entreaty or supplication; to offer prayer to a deity or divine being as a religious act; specifically, to address the Supreme Being with adoration, confession, supplication, and thanksgiving. [1913 Webster]

And to his goddess pitously he preyde. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. --Matt. vi. 6. [1913 Webster]

{I pray}, or (by ellipsis) {Pray}, I beg; I request; I entreat you; -- used in asking a question, making a request, introducing a petition, etc.; as, Pray, allow me to go. [1913 Webster]

I pray, sir. why am I beaten? --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Syn: To entreat; supplicate; beg; implore; invoke; beseech; petition. [1913 Webster]