The Spanish verb 'rezar' (to pray, recite) comes from the Latin word 'recitare', meaning 'to read aloud' or 'recite'. The Latin 'recitare' itself was formed by combining two elements: the prefix 're-' meaning 'again' and 'citare' meaning 'to set in motion' or 'summon'. Over time, as the word evolved from Latin to Spanish, its meaning became more specifically associated with religious recitation and prayer, while still retaining the sense of verbal repetition inherent in its etymology.

A related Spanish word is 'recitar' (to recite), which maintains a closer connection to the original Latin meaning of reading or speaking aloud. While 'rezar' became specialized for prayer and religious recitation, 'recitar' retained the more general meaning of reciting any kind of text or verse.

English speakers might recognize the connection to words like 'recite' and 'citation', which come from the same Latin root 'citare'. While 'recite' preserved the meaning of speaking aloud or repeating from memory (similar to the original Latin), 'citation' developed from the 'summoning' aspect of the Latin word, coming to mean a quotation or reference that calls attention to a source. The English word 'cite' also shares this etymology.