[I urge, then, first of all, that]… petitions, prayers, intercession …
Summary: In this passage, Paul points us to three ways of praying.
As we continue our examination of this verse, it might be helpful to take a closer look at the first three things Paul encourages us to do: make petitions, prayers, and intercession. What do these words mean, and what is the difference between them?
According to Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NIV), all three of the Greek words Paul used are translated as “prayer.” Yet each of the words Paul chose carries a slightly different meaning. In effect, there are three different kinds of prayer.
The first word, “déēsis” in Greek, is often translated as “petition” or “supplication.”* While a “petition” often suggests a formal request, the word “supplication” or “entreaty”, as it is sometimes translated, speaks to the passion of the request. A petition or supplication is not a casual request. These are requests that have deep personal meaning to the person asking.
The second word, the one translated as “prayers” in the NIV, comes from the Greek “proseuchḗ.”** This form of prayer might be understood as a formal prayer, or corporate prayer. These kinds of prayers are not limited to group prayer but suggest that they could be part of a group worship.
The third word, “intercession,” comes from the Greek “énteuxis.”† This word is different than the other two in that it refers to a kind of prayer that is more like a conversation with God than a formal request.
In thinking about these three kinds of prayer, Moses comes to mind as someone who provides an example of each.
When Moses is confronted with the entire nation of Israel complaining about the manna God had provided for food, he is in a tight spot. On one hand is God who has tasked him with leading the people, and on the other are the people themselves who are “wailing” for meat (Numbers 11:13). Caught between these two forces Moses appeals to God saying, “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me?” (Numbers 11:11).
Earlier, after leading the people of Israel through the Red Sea, Moses led the Israelites in a song of praise to the Lord (Exodus 15:1-21). This closely matches the meaning of the word “proseuchḗ,” translated in the NIV as “prayers.”
Finally, when Moses was up on Mount Sinai being instructed by God, Aaron and the Israelites decided to make their own god by making a golden calf (Exodus 32:1-6). God threatens to destroy them (Exodus 32:9-10), but Moses intercedes. He asks God to reconsider and offers reasons why he shouldn’t destroy them (Exodus 32:11-14). Thankfully for Israel, God listened to him.
In short, pray with passion, pray with others, and pray conversationally.
Application: Pray!
Food for Thought: What would life be like if God were not open to hearing our prayers?
*”G1162 – deēsis – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NIV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 14 Mar, 2026. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1162/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.
** “G4335 – proseuchē – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NIV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 14 Mar, 2026. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4335/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.
†”G1783 – enteuxis – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NIV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 14 Mar, 2026. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1783/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.
Thank you for the interesting breakdown on prayer this morning.
As to your question – if God was not willing to listen to our prayers it would lead to despair. It would mean that our hope of being heard by God would be gone and we would truly be on our own. It would mean that the Lord is not interested in a relationship with His children. Since that is not the case – all the more reason to pray.
Hebrews 4: 14 – 16: Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Thank you, Rich!
Great verse (!) and yes, it would lead to despair if God were not willing to listen!
I really cannot add much more to what Rich has already said: if God were not open to hearing our prayers we would fall into despair. I think that the “journey to despair” would be a self-centered life. If we did not believe that God hears us, we would lose confidence in our relationship with Him, and seek something else to “fill that need.”
I know that people who believe that God is not listening, or that God does not care about them, fall deeper and deeper into self-gratification and self-destruction. They look for meaning or worth in their life outside of God, and if they believe there is no worth or meaning, they reside themselves to pleasure at the expense of themselves and others. The Gospel of Christ, that God loved us so much that He sent His only son to pay our debt of sin, that Christ willingly died for us, and through His sacrifice we can have a relationship with God, be transformed into the likeness of Christ, and restored into the presence of God, is evidence of our worth in Christ, and worth to God. God continues to show our worth to Him by listening to our prayers.
1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
Thank you, Chris.
Good point about people seeking meaning for our lives in God — which is good — and what could happen if God cut us off.
I think you added a lot brother. Good stuff. Thank you.