Crossword Genius

Spoke perhaps in a plea to higher authority (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

prayer

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

'plea to higher authority' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'spoke perhaps in a' is the wordplay.
'spoke perhaps' becomes 'ray' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'a' becomes 'per' (eg 'one a day' means 'one per day').
'ray' going inside 'per' is 'PRAYER'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for prayer that I've seen before include "Supplication [ital]" , "Litany" , "Words to a deity" , "Orison" , "Intended communication with a deity" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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