Crossword Genius

Short prayer is good before competition (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

grace

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'short prayer' is the definition.
'grace' can be an answer for 'prayer' (grace is a kind of prayer). I am unsure of the 'short' bit.

'good before competition' is the wordplay.
'good' becomes 'g' (abbreviation).
'before' says to put letters next to each other.
'competition' becomes 'race' (race is a kind of competition).
'g'+'race'='GRACE'

'is' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for grace that I've seen before include "Honour" , "See 18" , "melodic decoration" , "cricketing great" , "Mealtime prayer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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