Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of a person who prays is usually expressed by describing the action of praying rather than using a single noun. The most common way is to use a relative clause with the verb 祈る (inoru). There is no single, everyday noun equivalent to 'pray-er'.
To refer to someone engaged in prayer, typically in a religious or spiritual context.
This is the most natural and common way to say 'a person who is praying'. It uses the verb 祈る (to pray) in the progressive form 祈っている modifying 人 (person).
There were many people praying in the church.
The figure of a person praying is beautiful.
A slightly more general or habitual sense: 'a person who prays' (as a characteristic). Less common than the progressive form for a specific instance.
A person who prays every day has a strong heart.
A formal, somewhat technical term for a person who prays, often used in religious or ceremonial contexts. Not common in everyday speech.
The supplicants gathered and offered prayers.
To refer to someone who prays on behalf of others, often in a religious role.
This phrase means 'a person who intercedes', using the noun 執り成し (intercession) and する (to do). It is the most natural way to describe an intercessor.
He is a person who always intercedes for his friends.
A less common noun form meaning 'intercessor'. It is understandable but not frequently used.
To refer to a person who prays according to a particular faith, such as a Muslim, Christian, etc.
Combine the word for a follower of a religion with a phrase like 祈る人 (person who prays) or simply use the follower term if prayer is implied. For example, イスラム教徒 (Muslim) often implies one who prays.
Muslims pray five times a day.
Christian people who pray go to church on Sundays.
English often uses agent nouns like 'pray-er', but Japanese rarely forms such nouns naturally. Using a relative clause (祈っている人) is almost always better than trying to create a noun like 祈り者 (which is not standard).
Fulfill the role of an intercessor.