Prayer was important to the early Christians (Acts 2:42; 12:5) and so should it be for us. The first verse of 1 Timothy 2 contains four words regarding prayer–each of which helps us to more fully understand what we are to be doing when we pray.
SUPPLICATION is from the Greek word: deesis. This word denotes “a wanting, a need” (Vine’s). Thus it refers to a petition for a benefit; a request for a need. We, then, may make requests of a personal need (as did Zacharias in Luke 1:13) or in behalf of others (Eph. 6:18; Rom 10:1). Thus, making requests of God for our needs regarding health, finances, spiritual matters, etc. on behalf of ourself or others is that which is pleasing to God.
PRAYER (proseuche) is the general term which includes all aspects of praying. This word also carries the sense of reverence and devotion. Such is seen when Jesus used proseuche in saying “My house shall be called the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves” (Mat. 21:13; also see: Mat 14:23; 26:36f). Thus, our praying, whether public or private, whether leading or being led, is to be entered into with reverence.
THANKSGIVING (euchaistia) expresses gratitude for past blessings. As we make our supplications, we are to also express our thanksgivings. It is as Paul said, “in everything by prayer and supplication WITH thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Phil. 4:6). It would be rather thoughtless, yea selfish, to make numerous requests for help, yet infrequently express gratitude for those blessings. May we then be thankful to our loving heavenly Father.
INTERCESSION (enteuxis) is defined by Thayer’s as “an interview,…a conference, or conversation,” and Vine’s adds, “meet with in order to convince; then, to make petition, especially to make intercession.” Thus, this word helps us to realize that, in prayer, we are meeting with God and making a petition before Him. It is not a mere religious formality; it is not “praying into the air;” rather, it is going before the very throne of God. May we ever keep this upon our minds.
In summary, Thayer’s says this in regard to three of the four words: “thus, in combination, deesis gives prominence to the expression of personal need, proseuche to the element of devotion, enteuxis to that of childlike confidence, by representing prayer as the heart’s converse with God” (page 126). May these words with their different shades of meaning help us understand prayer, and may we so pray in this manner which is “good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior” (1 Tim. 2:3).
Gary Henson