pray, entreat, beg, plead, prayer
禱 centers on earnest, often ritualized supplication: praying, entreating, begging, or pleading for something. The prayer sense is the natural expression of that heartfelt appeal.
禱 combines 示 (altar, spirit) with 壽, which likely contributes the sound and may suggest a prolonged or earnest act. The character expresses ritual prayer or entreaty.
At the altar 示, a long, drawn-out 壽-shaped plea rises up. Picture someone kneeling before the altar, hands clasped, pouring out a heartfelt prayer.
For トウ, imagine a person praying so earnestly that their voice echoes like a low, drawn-out 'tohhh' sound: tohhh -> トウ, a deep entreaty at the altar.