Final answer:
The sailors pray because they are facing a storm or danger. Evidence from the text suggests a struggle against the sea and a desire for protection. References to the Samothracian Mysteries, which aimed to protect sailors, also support this conclusion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sailors in the text are praying because they are facing a storm or danger, which is indicative of their precarious situation at sea. There are various clues in the provided texts that give evidence to this, such as the description of bringing the boat further out to sea, the captain's instructions to keep the boat facing the waves, and the mention of a foundering ship and the struggle against waves. It is a tense time where the sailors are looking for respite amidst the turmoil of the sea. The Samothracian Mysteries are referenced, highlighting their aim to protect sailors from sea perils.
A segment from "O Captain! My Captain!" suggests that the sailors are reflecting on a completed journey with their captain no longer responding, which denotes a past danger they have already faced rather than one they are praying to survive in the moment. The overall emphasis on the struggle against natural elements indicates that prayer during danger is the most applicable reason for the sailors' prayers rather than a ritual, celebration, or mourning.