Petitioning a deity is a form of prayer, in which a person or group makes a formal REQUEST to a higher power. This type of prayer is often used to ask for help, guidance, or protection. It can also be used to express gratitude or to make a plea for justice. The term 'petition a deity' is derived from the Latin word petitio, meaning 'REQUEST'. In this crossword puzzle, the solution to the clue 'PRAY' is the four-letter word 'PRAY'.