Topical Encyclopedia
Supplications, a term frequently encountered in the Bible, refers to earnest and humble requests or petitions made to God. This form of prayer is characterized by a deep sense of need and dependence on divine intervention. Supplications are often accompanied by a spirit of humility and contrition, reflecting the supplicant's recognition of God's sovereignty and mercy.
The concept of supplication is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where individuals and communities turn to God in times of distress, seeking His guidance, provision, and deliverance. The Hebrew and Greek words translated as "supplication" in the Bible convey a sense of earnest pleading and entreaty.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, supplications are often associated with personal and communal crises. The Psalms, in particular, are replete with examples of supplications, where the psalmists cry out to God for help and deliverance. For instance,
Psalm 28:2 states, "Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary."
The practice of supplication is also evident in the lives of key biblical figures. King Solomon, during the dedication of the temple, offers a prayer of supplication, asking God to hear the prayers of His people: "May You hear the supplication of Your servant and Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive" (
2 Chronicles 6:21).
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, supplications continue to play a vital role in the life of believers. The Apostle Paul frequently exhorts Christians to engage in supplications as part of their prayer life. In
Ephesians 6:18 , Paul writes, "Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints."
The New Testament also highlights the importance of supplications in the context of intercessory prayer. In
1 Timothy 2:1 , Paul urges, "First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone."
Theological SignificanceSupplications underscore the believer's reliance on God's grace and power. They are an acknowledgment of human limitations and the need for divine assistance. Through supplications, believers express their trust in God's ability to intervene in their circumstances and bring about His will.
The act of supplication is not merely a request for personal needs but also an expression of worship and submission to God's will. It reflects a heart that is attuned to God's purposes and desires to align with His plans.
Practical ApplicationIn the life of a believer, supplications are an integral part of a vibrant prayer life. They serve as a means of drawing closer to God, fostering a deeper relationship with Him. By presenting their needs and concerns to God through supplications, believers cultivate a spirit of dependence and trust in His providence.
Supplications also encourage believers to intercede on behalf of others, reflecting the communal aspect of the Christian faith. By lifting up the needs of others in prayer, believers participate in the work of God's kingdom and demonstrate love and compassion for their fellow human beings.
In summary, supplications are a vital component of biblical prayer, reflecting a heart that earnestly seeks God's intervention and aligns with His will. Through supplications, believers express their dependence on God and participate in His redemptive work in the world.
Greek
2428. hiketeria -- supplication... Word Origin from hiketerios; from adjective hiketes (a suppliant) Definition
supplication NASB Word Usage
supplications (1). supplication.
...Strong's Hebrew
8469. tachanun -- supplication for favor... 8468, 8469. tachanun. 8470 . supplication for favor. Transliteration: tachanun
Phonetic Spelling: (takh-an-oon') Short Definition:
supplications.
...8467. techinnah -- favor, supplication for favor
... Word Origin from chanan Definition favor, supplication for favor NASB Word Usage
grace (1), mercy (1), petition (4), supplication (18),supplications (1). camp....
Library
OfSupplications.
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter XI. OfSupplications. "I exhort
therefore first of all thatsupplications be made." Supplication...
The Lord Has Heard thoseSupplications which You, My Best Beloved...
... Chap. I. The Lord has heard thosesupplications which you, my best beloved
Donatus? The Lord has heard thosesupplications which...
But Though Prayer is Properly Confined to Vows andSupplications.....
... Of Prayer. John Calvin Chapter 28 But though prayer is properly confined
to vows andsupplications? But though prayer is properly...
The Redeemer's Return is Necessitated by theSupplications of the...
... Chapter One The Need of the Redeemer's Return IX. THE REDEEMER'S RETURN
IS NECESSITATED BY THESUPPLICATIONS OF THE CHURCH. While...
Whether the Parts of Prayer are Fittingly Described as...
... OF PRAYER (SEVENTEEN ARTICLES) Whether the parts of prayer are fittingly described
assupplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings?...
Whether These Four Kinds of Prayers are Necessary for Everyone to...
... And of these four kinds, although sometimes occasions arise for richer and fuller
prayers (for from the class ofsupplications which arises from sorrow for sin...
If this be True, Doubtless Also the Providing for the Interment of...
... through absence of all facility not allow bodies to be interred, or in such places
interred, yet should there be no pretermitting ofsupplications for the...
The General Service to a Nun.
... soul and of the body, to drive away unclean spirits by your spirit, and to be a
patron unto all afflicted; wherefore with thysupplications entreat healings...
The Essence of Prayer.
... Thesupplications of the saints on earth differ from those of the saints in heaven,
those who rejoice before the throne and those who cry from under the altar....
Of the Fourfold Nature of Prayer.
... of prayer, which the Apostle divides in a fourfold manner, when he says as follows:
"I exhort therefore first of all thatsupplications, prayers, intercessions...
Thesaurus
Supplications (32 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Supplications (32 Occurrences). Luke 2:37 and she
had been a widow even unto fourscore and four years), who
...Supplication (71 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Psalms 28:2 Hear the voice of mysupplications,
when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle....
Dwelling-place (38 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 6:21 And hearken thou to thesupplications of thy servant, and of thy
people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: yea, hear thou from...
Intercession (12 Occurrences)
... of Term: The meaning of the word is determined by its use in 1 Timothy 2:1, "I exhort,
therefore, first of all, thatsupplications, prayers, intercessions...
Supplied (22 Occurrences)
Longing (40 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 9:14 while they themselves also insupplications on your behalf pour
out their longing love towards you because of God's surpassing grace which...
Water-brooks (6 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 31:9 They shall come with weeping, and withsupplications will I lead them;
I will cause them to walk by water-brooks, in a straight way, wherein they...
Friendless (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Timothy 5:5 A widow who is really in need, friendless and desolate, has her hopes
fixed on God, and continues at hersupplications and prayers, night and day...
Thanksgiving (49 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort then, first of all, thatsupplications, prayers, intercessions
and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men; (Root in WEY ASV DBY...
Thankful (15 Occurrences)
... 1:3 I am thankful to God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience,
how unceasingly I have the remembrance of thee in mysupplications night and...
Resources
What is a prayer of supplication? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the different types of prayer? | GotQuestions.orgWhat should be the focus of Christians on Thanksgiving? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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