pray-in

[ prey-in ]

noun

1. a form of social protest in which demonstrators engage in passive resistance and prayer: popular especially in the 1970s.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pray-in¹

First recorded in 1960–65; pray + -in ³

Example Sentences

On Feb. 6, 1968, King and other church leaders gathered at Arlington National Cemetery for a “pray-in” against the war in Vietnam.

From Washington Post

Just six months after they kicked off their campaigns with a pray-in during Pope Francis’s visit in September, the number of workers engaged has grown from about two dozen to more than 300, organizers said.

From Washington Post

A Catholic activism group in the city actively encouraged people to attend mass at a local cathedral to speak out against the statue — a pray-in, if you will.

From Time

Even the climate skeptics in their ranks, some said, are starting to realize that something strange is going on.A "pray-in" at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church and a subsequent march to the White House, which was shrouded by bleachers as workers swarmed about setting up for the inaugural parade, was timed for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.

From New York Times

For the Rev. Lennox Yearwood, the president of the civil and human rights group Hip Hop Caucus -- one of the organizations behind the popular 2004 "Vote or Die" campaign -- the protest and pray-in were an opportunity to highlight the increasing involvement of minority institutions in the environmental movement.

From New York Times