Final answer:
In 'Araby' by James Joyce, the word 'prayers' links with 'romance' as the narrator’s feelings for Mangan's sister are portrayed with a religious-like devotion.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of James Joyce's Araby and the given passage, the word "prayers" is most closely associated with the word "romance" (E). This association arises because the narrator's adoration for Mangan's sister is depicted with language that imbues the sentiment with the qualities of a religious experience or devotion, thereby linking his feelings to both prayer and romance.