Lexical Summary deésis: Prayer, supplication, petition Original Word: δέησις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance prayer, request, supplication. From deomai; a petition -- prayer, request, supplication. see GREEK deomai HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1162 déēsis (deō, "to be in want, lack"; see the cognate 1189 /déomai, "praying for a specific, felt need") – heart-felt petition, arising out of deep personal need (sense of lack, want). [1162 (déēsis) ultimately roots back to 1211 /dḗ ("really") which likewise implies a felt need that is personal and urgent (R, 1149).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom deomai Definition a need, entreaty NASB Translation entreaties (2), petition (3), prayer (6), prayers (6), supplication (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1162: δέησιςδέησις, δεήσεως, ἡ (δέομαι); 1. need, indigence (Psalm 21:25 2. a seeking, asking, entreating, entreaty (from Plato down); in the N. T. requests addressed by men to God (German Bittgebet, supplication); universally: James 5:16; 1 Peter 3:12; as often in the Sept., joined with προσευχή (i. e. any pious address to God (see below)): Acts 1:14 Rec.; Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6; plural 2 Timothy 1:3; joined with προσευχαί, 1 Timothy 5:5; with νηστειαι, Luke 2:37; ποιεῖσθαι δέησιν, Philippians 1:4; ποιεῖσθαι δεήσεις, Luke 5:33; 1 Timothy 2:1. contextually, of prayers imploring God's aid in some particular matter: Luke 1:13; Philippians 1:19; plural Hebrews 5:7; supplication for others: (2 Corinthians 1:11); περί τίνος, Ephesians 6:18; ὑπέρ τίνος, 2 Corinthians 9:14; Philippians 1:4; with the addition πρός τόν Θεόν, Romans 10:1. Strong’s Greek 1162, déēsis, denotes an earnest plea rising from a sense of need. While the broader term “prayer” can include praise, thanksgiving or confession, déēsis focuses on a specific request placed before God, whether for oneself or for others. The word highlights dependency, urgency and humility. Distribution in the New Testament Déēsis appears eighteen times, scattered across narratives, Pauline letters, Catholic Epistles and Hebrews. It surfaces in personal correspondence (Philippians 1:4), apostolic teaching about congregational life (1 Timothy 2:1), and descriptions of Jesus’ own earthly experience (Hebrews 5:7). This breadth demonstrates that supplication is not confined to private devotion but permeates every layer of Christian existence—personal, communal and Christological. Supplication in the Life of Jesus Hebrews 5:7 recalls the Lord’s “prayers and petitions” offered “with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death.” Déēsis marks the Son’s submission to the Father, proving that fervent petition is compatible with perfect obedience. The verse legitimizes intense, emotional pleading as a holy practice when anchored in reverence. Supplication in Apostolic Ministry 1. Paul’s letters: 2. Pastoral Epistles: Supplication in the Early Church Narrative Luke introduces déēsis at key moments: The Intercessory Dimension Déēsis frequently carries an outward focus. Romans 10:1—“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation”—exposes Paul’s evangelistic burden. James 5:16 urges believers, “The prayer of a righteous man has great power and produces results,” promising efficacy when supplication flows from upright lives. In 1 Peter 3:12 the apostle quotes Psalm 34: “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer,” establishing divine attentiveness to supplicants. Déēsis alongside Other Prayer Terms When déēsis is paired with proseuchē (“general prayer”) or eucharistia (“thanksgiving”), Scripture distinguishes but does not separate these acts. Philippians 4:6 instructs, “In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” The verse teaches balance: passionate asking infused with gratitude guards the heart with peace (Philippians 4:7). Jewish Roots and Greco-Roman Context In Septuagint usage déēsis often translates Hebrew techinnah or tachanun, petitions grounded in covenant mercy (e.g., 1 Kings 8:54). A Greco-Roman hearer might think of formal pleas to civic patrons, but New Testament writers redirect such dependency toward the living God, the ultimate Benefactor. Theology of Supplication 1. God invites need: Repeated commands to offer déēsis demonstrate divine willingness to hear (Ephesians 6:18). Pastoral and Practical Applications • Cultivate specificity: Déēsis urges believers to move beyond generalities to concrete requests. Implications for Worship Historically, liturgies have retained “collects” or “prayers of the faithful” precisely to obey texts like 1 Timothy 2:1. Including structured, specific petitions trains congregations in biblically balanced prayer. Conclusion Strong’s 1162 calls believers to heartfelt, humble, Spirit-dependent pleading before a receptive Father. Déēsis is both privilege and responsibility, shaping individual spirituality and corporate witness until the day prayers give way to sight. Englishman's Concordance Luke 1:13 N-NFSGRK: εἰσηκούσθη ἡ δέησίς σου καὶ NAS: Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, KJV: for thy prayer is heard; and INT: has been heard the prayer of you and Luke 2:37 N-DFP Luke 5:33 N-AFP Romans 10:1 N-NFS 2 Corinthians 1:11 N-DFS 2 Corinthians 9:14 N-DFS Ephesians 6:18 N-GFS Ephesians 6:18 N-DFS Philippians 1:4 N-DFS Philippians 1:4 N-AFS Philippians 1:19 N-GFS Philippians 4:6 N-DFS 1 Timothy 2:1 N-AFP 1 Timothy 5:5 N-DFP 2 Timothy 1:3 N-DFP Hebrews 5:7 N-AFP James 5:16 N-NFS 1 Peter 3:12 N-AFS Strong's Greek 1162 |
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