"Prayer" was tracked during the Smile sessions on September 19 and October 4, 1966, at Columbia Studio. Wilson later wrote, "The boys were overtaken by the arrangement. I taught it to them in sections, the way I usually do." On the session tape, Wilson announces, "This is intro to the album, take one." Al Jardine is heard remarking to Wilson that the piece could be considered its own track, but Wilson rejects the suggestion. This information makes "Prayer" the only part of Smile that is known to have had a definitive placement on the album. At another point in the session, Wilson asks for a hash joint and remarks, "Do you guys feel any acid yet?"
