Some ignorant Arabic speaking Christians claim that Allah prays to the prophet Muhammed. They often quote this ayah from the quran (I will give the Yusef Ali translation)
Surah 33:56: ‘Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O ye that believe! Send ye blessings on him, and salute him with all respect.’
إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا
Notice the part i underline it says yusalloona ala al nabiy
They say that the translations falsely translate the ayah by putting the word blessing rather than putting the word prayer, because in Arabic it says yusalloona which means praying in Arabic not blessing (in Arabic blessing is called baraka)
Response
Ibn Kathir’s commentary of this ayah explains
The Meaning of Salah
Allah's Salah means that He praises His servant before the angels, as Al-Bukhari recorded from Abu Al-`Aliyah. This was recorded by Abu Ja`far Ar-Razi from Ar-Rabi` bin Anas from Anas. Others said: "Allah's Salah means mercy.'' It may be said that there is no contradiction between these two views. And Allah knows best. Salah from the angels means their supplication and seeking forgiveness for people, as Allah says:
[الَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ الْعَرْشَ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُـلَّ شَىْءٍ رَّحْمَةً وَعِلْماً فَاغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُواْ وَاتَّبَعُواْ سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ - رَبَّنَا وَأَدْخِلْهُمْ جَنَّـتِ عَدْنٍ الَّتِى وَعَدْتَّهُمْ وَمَن صَـلَحَ مِنْ ءَابَآئِهِمْ وَأَزْوَجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّـتِهِمْ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ ]
وَقِهِمُ السَّيّئَـتِ]
(Those who bear the Throne and those around it glorify the praises of their Lord, and believe in Him, and ask forgiveness for those who believe (saying): "Our Lord! You comprehend all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who repent and follow Your way, and save them from the torment of the blazing Fire! Our Lord! And make them enter the `Adn Garden which you have promised them -- and to the righteous among their fathers, their wives, and their offspring! Verily, You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. And save them from the sins.'') (40:7-9) t
http://www.tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=33&tid=41852
So as you can see by the explanation of ibn Kathir, Allah's Salah means that He praises His servant before the angels. There Is another commentary on this issue
If someone were to say that this is unlikely from a linguistic point of view, because salaah in Arabic means supplication, not praise, the answer to that is that the word salaah is also connected to the word silah (gift), and there can be no doubt that praise for the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) among the higher group (angels) is one of the greatest gifts, for praise may sometimes be more important to a person than all else. So a good mention is a great gift.
Based on this, the correct view is that sending blessings (salaah) upon him means praise for him along the higher group (the angels) (Al-Sharh al-Mumti', 3/163, 164)
Conclusion
The word “salat” literally means “to come close and near”. It is used in the Quran for prayers as well as for blessings. Through our Salat or prayers we try to come closer to Allah with submission and surrender. Allah also draws near to His Prophets and the Believers through His blessings. In the Qur’an it is also mentioned that Allah sends “salat” on the Prophet (33:56) as well as on the Believers (33:43). When Allah comes closer to His Prophets and to other believers, it means that He comes closer to them with His blessings, love and favor