English question

Example (1) is a line from a TV show/movie. In the example, the word “prayer” changes from singular to plural in a later sentence. I would like to ask you what you think is the reason for this change.

(1) While saying [b]a prayer[/b], they shake the sticks until one falls out. Now, each stick has a number. The number on the stick helps provide an answer to [b]their prayers[/b], but that has to be interpreted by the Soothsayer. (Scenario in [i]Spider-Man: The Dragon’s Challenge (aka. Spider-Man: The Chinese Web [/i]))

I've included a link for the movie and would be grateful if you could take a look at the scene in question and tell me what you think. It starts around 1:05:43.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IZ8HXn6tSg

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KiwiBird · 36-40, F

Prayer can be used singularly and/or as a plural.

Hidenori · 46-50, M

@KiwiBird Thanks. Very much appreciated. 😀

stound

one particular prayer is said during the shaking, it can be performed again and again with other prayers. or possibly its the same repeated again later

Hidenori · 46-50, M

@stound Thank you for your insightful feedback. That really helps. Do you mean many people saying one prayer is many prayers: the same prayer multiplied?

stound

@Hidenori can't say for sure just from context

Hidenori · 46-50, M

@stound Thanks. Very much appreciated.😀

ViciDraco · 36-40, M

During the ritual, you say a prayer (singular). Stating that the resulting number helps provide an answer to their prayers could mean many things, but I would take it to mean that the stick and ritual can be reused/repeated for multiple prayers. But i could be incorrect there.

Hidenori · 46-50, M

@ViciDraco Thank you for your insightful feedback. That really helps. 😀

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