In paragraph 8, kennedy asks the audience to go home and say two prayers. what is his purpose in recommending prayer? so i ask you tonight to return home, to say a prayer for the family of martin luther king -- yeah, it's true -- but more importantly to say a prayer for our own country, which all of us love -- a prayer for understanding and that compassion of which i spoke. a. prayer is a peaceful activity. his purpose is to keep the people focused on religion. b. he wants the people to reflect on the difficult times we've had in the past and difficult times we will have in the future. c. prayer is a peaceful, nonviolent and quiet activity. his purpose is to encourage people to contemplate the values he praises, "love, and wisdom and compassion," rather than resorting to violence. d. prayer allows time for reflection. his purpose is to have the audience reflect on who killed king and why.