Word of prayer to cities' unopened public toilets (9)
I believe the answer is:
amenities
'public toilets' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.
'word of prayer to cities' unopened' is the wordplay.
'word of prayer' becomes 'amen' (last word in a prayer).
'unopened' means to remove the first letter (without opening letter).
'cities' with its initial letter removed is 'ities'.
'amen'+'ities'='AMENITIES'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for amenities that I've seen before include "Equipment" , "useful services?" , "conveniences" , "Useful facilities" , "pleasing features" .)