Prayer of Supplication Explained
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people” (1 Timothy 2:1 ESV).
“Excuse-moi, je parle français un petit peu.”
It’s the apology I always begin with during our international travels. Loosely translated: “Excuse me, I only speak a little bit of French.”
It’s my first go-to, an excuse and apology that leads the charge before I ever speak another word. Despite my high school classes, my French is not near fluent.
Paul’s Prayer Guide to Timothy
In many ways, I feel the same way in prayer. No matter how long I’ve been praying, I often feel like a beginner, speaking only in limited ways. Thankfully, Paul gave Timothy a complete guide, a language made up of four words: deēsis, proseuchē, enteuxis, and eucharistia.
These Greek terms have become little flashlights for me. It’s the language of Heaven that I want to learn to speak fluently! Those four words remind me what I keep forgetting and give me fresh permission to talk to God like a real person.
It’s a blueprint for us, and one that I want to explore with you over the next four weeks as we head toward Easter.
A Prayer of Supplication Explained
First, there is supplication—deēsis.
Essentially, supplication can be summed up in one simple word: “HELP!” It’s the prayer of lack, need, even poverty. It literally means, “I’m missing something and I’m asking You to supply it.”
It’s the prayer that comes from the checking account that’s wheezing, the kids or grandkids who are struggling, the diagnosis you didn’t expect, or the 3 AM panic attack. It’s the prayer you pray when you don’t have it together. Deēsis invites, “Bring the raw deficit, the void, the desperation, the ugly crying. This is not about perfection or performance; there’s no spiritual makeup or flowery filter required.”
Misunderstandings About Prayer of Supplication
I spent years thinking supplication was somehow less spiritual than “worship.” After all, we’re told to give thanks, again and again. But as it turns out, supplication is actually the front door to worship. It’s a way of opening up the deepest, most vulnerable parts of our heart to the Lord, to then worship with everything we have.
Remember, Jesus told us to ask for daily bread. Not just bread for life, not just once or twice, but daily bread. Why? Because He knew we would run out. He knew we would get to the point of breaking, of feeling like we’ve been squeezed dry and nothing is left. He knew we would need Him, every single day.
Reach Out to God
We are never without our need for the Lord. So, bring Him your brokenness, fear, and desperation. Bring Him your raw cries; bring Him your every need. He is there to provide. After all, He is Jehovah Jireh—the Lord who provides!
Over the next few weeks, we’ll talk through the next three words of prayer. But this week, I encourage you to practice deēsis.
Bring Him your needs, your sorrows, and the mess that you may have been hiding away. And pray for His power and provision to see you through.
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Cathe Laurie is the founder and director of the Virtue women’s ministry. She is also a featured speaker on The Virtue Podcast, at Harvest events, and the author of As I See It. You can find her weekly articles here on harvest.org.
