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prayer meeting

American  
[prair] / prɛər /

noun

  1. a meeting chiefly for prayer.

  2. (in certain Protestant churches) a meeting in midweek, chiefly for individual prayer and the offering of testimonies of faith.


prayer meeting British  
/ prɛə /

noun

  1. Protestantism a religious meeting at which the participants offer up prayers to God

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of prayer meeting

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Esperanza makes an altar on the vanity and prepares the space for chanting, a prayer meeting but more unapologetic, ritualistic and communal.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2026

"We must continue to stand together to fight this... I have no doubt in my mind we will overcome," he told a recent prayer meeting for political prisoners.

From Barron's • Jan. 12, 2026

The Welsh government is poised to win a vote on its draft budget as the Conservatives' leader and another of his politicians have gone to the US for a prayer meeting in Washington DC.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2025

“We are facing distress and disease in this dry spell,” said Bashir Ahmed, a local resident who participated in a prayer meeting in Srinagar.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 12, 2024

Grandma was prone to arthritis and did not go out on a winter’s night, even to prayer meeting.

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson