Extremist cults pray, having lost all protection (5)

I believe the answer is:

ultra

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'extremist' is the definition.
('ultra' can be a synonym of 'extremist')

'cults pray having lost all protection' is the wordplay.
'cults' becomes 'ult' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'having lost all protection' says to take the centre (the outside letters 'protect' the inside ones).
The centre of 'pray' is 'ra'.
'ult'+'ra'='ULTRA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ultra that I've seen before include "Above, beyond, super" , "Immoderate" , "Fanatic" , "Person holding extreme views" , "Extreme - extremist" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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