pray in aid

verb2

1. •
   To ask for the help of (someone or something) in pleading a case; to make use of, adduce (something) in defence of a case, argument etc.

   • Other, smaller craters in the North Sea and Ukraine have been prayed in aid of this theory. — 2009
2. •
   To resort to the help (of); to call on the support (of), especially to help prove an argument.