Once again searches for prayers? (8)
I believe the answer is:
requests
'for prayers?' is the definition.
(prayer is a kind of request)
'once again searches' is the wordplay.
'once again' becomes 're' (prefix in verbs).
'searches' becomes 'quests' (quest is a kind of search).
're'+'quests'='REQUESTS'
(Other definitions for requests that I've seen before include "demands" , "Applies" , "Asks for" , "Supplications" , "Petitions" .)