Types of Prayer 3

Types of Prayer Part 3 We will now examine supplication in our series on types of prayer. As previously mentioned, supplication usually is an earnest prayer for oneself, although it can include others. In our English dictionaries, the word supplication means “the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly.” In Hebrew, according to Strong’s Concordance, the word supplication, in its various forms, contains the meaning of graciousness, favor, entreaty. It also carries the meaning of being gracious or showing pity, favor, or consideration. In other words, the person praying is bending low to ask for mercy, favor, consideration, pity, or graciousness from God. Here are examples of the word supplication found in scripture. It should always be our aim to have the scriptures as our basis for what we believe. Old Testament Examples Psalm 30:8 I cried out to You, O LORD; And to the LORD I made supplication: Psalm 55:1 Give ear to my prayer, O God, And do not hide Yourself from my supplication. Psalm119:170 Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your word. Daniel 9:20 Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God, This following passage is a notable illustration of the power of true supplication, even from those that have opposed God and His ways, but now are repenting and asking for mercy and favor. This story continues to amaze me and demonstrates how gracious our God will be to anyone who comes to Him in humility, sincerity, and brokenness. And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God. 2 Ch 33:10-13 This is particularly amazing because Manasseh was one of Israel’s most wicked kings, and with one of the longest reigns. The bible summarizes his reign of atrocities and wickedness in the following passage. “So Manasseh seduced Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to do more evil than the nations whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.” 2Ch 33:9 New Testament Examples Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. Ephesians 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints…. Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. Act 1:13-14 The result of their prayer and supplication? And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Act 2:1-4 Although the promise of the Holy Spirit was given by Jesus before His ascension into Heaven, and the disciples realized their part was to pray and call on the Father in prayers and supplication to receive Him (see Acts 1:4-5). And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Luke 11:9-10 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Luke 11:13 The disciples took Jesus at His word and went to prayer UNTIL the Holy Spirit came and filled them. That is one of the most powerful and wonderful answers to prayer anyone can receive after accepting Christ as their Savior and Lord. After this initial infilling of the Holy Spirit, the apostles made it a point to ensure all new believers received the Promise of the Holy Spirit immediately after accepting the gospel message of Christ. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. Act 8:14-17 If receiving the Holy Spirit can take place through prayer and supplication, how much more will the Father do on our behalf when we simply humble ourselves and seek His face? One last example of supplication in this brief overview is the supplication of Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion. I believe it is the strongest supplication ever made. Thankfully, we are the beneficiaries of Jesus praying through this test to do the Father’s will over His own will. And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. Luke 22:39-46 There has never been a more unselfish prayer prayed than this one. Jesus knew He was sent to give His life for our ransom, but at this moment, all hell was resisting Him doing the will of the Father, even though the enemy did not know it would crush his head as prophesied in Genesis 3:12-15. If the enemy had known the full plan of God, he would have done everything in his power to limit Jesus but not to have Him crucified. 1Corinthians 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. We have only scratched the surface on the topic of supplication but must continue with other types of prayer in our next post. For more in depth reading on the topic I recommend books on prayer by authors like Andrew Murray, and E.M. Bounds, or the biographies of men like “Praying Hyde,” George Muller, Rees Howells or Father Nash. Until then, I pray God, our Heavenly Father, will richly bless and keep you! James Brown CST 12/28/2022