Prayer of Binding — ruling 1

You don't have to choose a target for Prayer of Binding's triggered ability. However, if you do and the target is illegal as the ability tries to resolve, it won't resolve and none of its effects will happen. You won't gain life.

Prayer of Binding — ruling 2

If Prayer of Binding leaves the battlefield before its triggered ability resolves, the target permanent won't be exiled.

Prayer of Binding — ruling 3

Auras attached to the exiled permanent will be put into their owners' graveyards. Any Equipment will become unattached and remain on the battlefield. Any counters on the exiled permanent will cease to exist. When the card returns to the battlefield, it will be a new object with no connection to the card that was exiled.

Prayer of Binding — ruling 4

If a token is exiled this way, it will cease to exist and won't return to the battlefield.

Prayer of Binding — ruling 5

If an Aura is exiled this way, its owner chooses what it will enchant as it returns to the battlefield. An Aura put onto the battlefield this way doesn't target anything (so it could be attached to a permanent with shroud, for example), but the Aura's enchant ability restricts what it can be attached to. If the Aura can't legally be attached to anything, it remains in exile for the rest of the game.

Prayer of Binding : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Prayer of Binding is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.

Official card text

Flash When this enchantment enters, exile up to one target nonland permanent an opponent controls until this enchantment leaves the battlefield. You gain 2 life.

How it works : Prayer of Binding

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1November 8, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
You don't have to choose a target for Prayer of Binding's triggered ability. However, if you do and the target is illegal as the ability tries to resolve, it won't resolve and none of its effects will happen. You won't gain life.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2November 8, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
If Prayer of Binding leaves the battlefield before its triggered ability resolves, the target permanent won't be exiled.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3November 8, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
Auras attached to the exiled permanent will be put into their owners' graveyards. Any Equipment will become unattached and remain on the battlefield. Any counters on the exiled permanent will cease to exist. When the card returns to the battlefield, it will be a new object with no connection to the card that was exiled.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4November 8, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
If a token is exiled this way, it will cease to exist and won't return to the battlefield.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5November 8, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
If an Aura is exiled this way, its owner chooses what it will enchant as it returns to the battlefield. An Aura put onto the battlefield this way doesn't target anything (so it could be attached to a permanent with shroud, for example), but the Aura's enchant ability restricts what it can be attached to. If the Aura can't legally be attached to anything, it remains in exile for the rest of the game.
No other card is named in this ruling.