in old man and the sea how is santiagos prayer awnsered about the fish and how might it tie in with friendship?

Santiago says he will say many Our Fathers and Hail Marys if he can catch an amazing fish after 84 days of "no luck."  He sees the fish as a worthy opponent and admires the fish for his fight and his intuitive skills of survival.  In this way, while he has to kill the fish, he sees the fish as an honorable friend who will ultimately lose in this battle between man and beast, but who has also been a wonderful example of how to do one's job well.