ように祈るPray or earnestly hope that
Use ように祈る to say that someone prays or earnestly hopes for a desired outcome. The context determines whether this is literal religious prayer, a deeply felt personal hope, or a formal well-wish.
What it expresses
The clause before ように names the result that someone wants, and 祈る explicitly presents that desire as prayer or earnest hope. Common wishes concern safety, recovery, success, peace, good weather, and avoiding trouble.
From literal prayer to well-wishing
The grammar stays the same across these contexts; the surrounding situation changes how strongly or literally the English word “pray” fits.
神社で、娘の病気が治るように祈りました。
At the shrine, I prayed that my daughter's illness would get better.
Analyze母は、私が試験に合格できるように祈ってくれた。
My mother prayed for me to pass the exam.
Analyze皆様が新しい年も健やかに過ごせるように祈っております。
I hope that all of you will remain in good health in the new year as well.
AnalyzeThis respectful wording suits a formal greeting or message.
Hoping something will not happen
For an unwanted event, put the verb in the ない form before ように祈る. The negative belongs to the desired outcome: the speaker wants the event not to occur.
台風がこの町に近づかないように祈っています。
I am praying that the typhoon does not approach this town.
AnalyzeEarnest prayer, lighter hope, and purpose
In the example below, 迷わないように gives the practical aim of preparing a map; it does not express a wish by itself. 晴れるといい is a lighter conversational hope. Only 帰れるように祈った explicitly presents the wish as earnest prayer.
出発前、私たちは道に迷わないように地図を用意した。「明日は晴れるといいね」と話しながら、全員が無事に帰れるように祈った。
Before leaving, we prepared a map so that we would not get lost. As we said, “I hope it's sunny tomorrow,” we prayed that everyone would return safely.
AnalyzeMore examples
兄は、明日の発表がうまくいくように祈ってくれた。
My older brother prayed that tomorrow's presentation would go well.
Analyze雨が降らないように、みんなで祈った。
We all prayed that it would not rain.
Analyze新しい環境で二人が幸せに暮らせるように祈っています。
I am hoping that the two of them can live happily in their new environment.
Analyze先生は、学生たちが安全に帰国できるように祈っていた。
The teacher had been praying that the students could return to their countries safely.
Analyze世界に平和が訪れるように祈ります。
I pray that peace will come to the world.
Analyze住民たちは、これ以上被害が広がらないように祈った。
The residents prayed that the damage would not spread any further.
Analyze