What does "pray" mean?

Today we had a picnic with one of Elisabeth's friends. I asked her if she wanted to pray before we ate, or if she wanted me to pray. Her little friend turned and asked me,

"What does pray mean?"

His question was a powerful reminder to me that our lives provoke questions, and I need to be prepared to answer those really good and sincere questions in a way a 3 year old can understand - and even more importantly to be able to turn focus from a religious activity that people of many faiths do to the good news of Christ.