pray, verb;
prayer, noun
Today, most references to praying assume a spiritual or
religious context, but that was not always the case. In earlier
days, English-speaking people could refer to any petition or
request made to a court or governing authority as a prayer.
They could also use the word pray as a form of polite address
when asking for a favor from any ordinary person. In the
seventeenth century, when the King James Version of the Bible
was produced, “I pray”, and its contraction “prithee”, were
common forms of expression. They could be used by people in addressing
each other as well as in approaching God. This practice helps
explain the King James Version’s frequent translation of the
little Hebrew word na, which functioned much like words
translated as behold.1 In most places, the
translators of the New Revised Standard Version have chosen to
ignore na, but occasionally they have employed the old
form of address. In other places, they have inserted please or
oh.
na
Moses
said, “If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, I
pray, let the Lord go with us. Although this is a
stiff-necked people, pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take
us for your inheritance.” [Exodus 34:9]
Saul
said to Samuel, “I have sinned; for I have transgressed the
commandment of the Lord
and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their
voice. Now therefore, I pray, pardon my sin, and return
with me, so that I may worship the Lord.”
[I Samuel 15:24-25]
Then
Abraham said, “Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I
speak.” [Genesis 18:30]
Then
Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son's
mandrakes.” [Genesis 30:14]
A
number of other Hebrew words and several Greek words sometimes
appear in English as pray or prayer, but these words tend to be
translated in a variety of other ways depending on the context.
The list below includes the meaning of the root that lies behind
the metaphorical use of each word.
anna,
perhaps a contraction of aheb (love2) and
na
Then
I called on the name of the Lord:
"O Lord, I pray,
save my life!" [Psalm 116:4]
Then
they cried out to the Lord,
"Please, O Lord,
we pray, do not let us perish on account of this man's
life. [Jonah 1:14]
"Remember now, O Lord,
I implore you, how I have walked before you in
faithfulness with a whole heart, and have done what is good in
your sight." Hezekiah wept bitterly. [II Kings 20:3]
Save
us, we beseech you, O Lord!
O Lord, we
beseech you, give us success! [Psalm 118:25]
palal,
to judge3
Now
then, return the man's wife; for he is a prophet, and he will
pray for you and you shall live. [Genesis 20:7]
Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the
Lord; my strength
is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies, because I
rejoice in my victory.” [I Samuel 2:1]
Then
Isaiah son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, "Thus says the Lord,
the God of Israel: I have heard your prayer to me about
King Sennacherib of Assyria." [II Kings 19:20]
The Lord
was so angry with Aaron that he was ready to destroy him, but I
interceded also on behalf of Aaron at that same time.
[Deuteronomy 9:20]
Thus
says the Lord: The
wealth of Egypt and the merchandise of Ethiopia, and the Sabeans,
tall of stature, shall come over to you and be yours, they shall
follow you; they shall come over in chains and bow down to you.
They will make supplication to you, saying, “God is with
you alone, and there is no other; there is no god besides him.”
[Isaiah 45:14]
Bear
your disgrace, you also, for you have brought about for your
sisters a more favorable judgment; because of your sins
in which you acted more abominably than they, they are more in
the right than you. [Ezekiel 16:52]
tephillah,
from palal
For
you, O Lord of
hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your
servant, saying, “I will build you a house"; therefore your
servant has found courage to pray (palal) this prayer
to you. [II Samuel 7:27]
Regard your servant's prayer and his plea, O Lord
my God, heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant
prays (palal) to you today. [I Kings 8:28]
Let
my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the
lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. [Psalm 141:2]
sha’al,
to inquire
Pray
for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you.”
[Psalm 122:6]
Then
Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." But he said,
"Why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed
him. [Genesis 32:29]
Ask
rain from the Lord
in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord
who makes the storm clouds, who gives showers of rain to you,
the vegetation in the field to everyone. [Zechariah 10:1]
Joshua shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall
inquire for him by the decision of the Urim before the
Lord. [Numbers
27:21]
Spend
the money for whatever you wish─oxen, sheep, wine, strong drink,
or whatever you desire. [Deuteronomy 14:26]
No
one shall be found among you who makes a son or daughter pass
through fire, or who practices divination, or is a soothsayer,
or an augur, or a sorcerer, or one who casts spells, or who
consults ghosts or spirits, or who seeks oracles from the
dead. [Deuteronomy 18:10-11]
May
his children wander about and beg; may they be driven out
of the ruins they inhabit. [Psalm 109:10]
athar,
to burn incense
Isaac
prayed to the Lord
for his wife, because she was barren; and the
Lord granted his
prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. [Genesis 25:21]
Then
Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron, and said, "Pray to the Lord
to take away the frogs from me and my people, and I will let the
people go to sacrifice to the Lord."
[Exodus 8:8]
They
buried the bones of Saul and of his son Jonathan in the land of
Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of his father Kish; they did all
that the king commanded. After that, God heeded supplications
for the land. [II Samuel 21:14]
From
beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, my scattered
ones, shall bring my offering. [Zephaniah 3:10]
Before them stood seventy of the elders of the house of Israel,
with Jaazaniah son of Shaphan standing among them. Each had his
censer in his hand, and the fragrant cloud of incense was
ascending. [Ezekiel 8:11]
amar,
to say or speak
King
David went on to pray thus, “Blessed be the Lord,
the God of Israel, who today has granted one of my offspring to
sit on my throne and permitted me to witness it.” [I Kings
1:48]
I
pray, "Only do not let them rejoice over me, those who boast
against me when my foot slips." [Psalm 38:16]
Then
God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.
[Genesis 1:3]
So I
intend to build a house for the name of the Lord
my God, as the Lord
said to my father David, “Your son, whom I will set on your
throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.” [I
Kings 5:5]
Benaiah son of Jehoiada answered the king, "Amen! May the Lord,
the God of my lord the king, so ordain. [I Kings 1:36]
paga,
to impinge, by accident or design
What
is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit do we
get if we pray to him? [Job 21:15]
He
poured out himself to death, and was numbered with the
transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made
intercession for the transgressors. [Isaiah 53:12]
Even
when Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah urged the king not
to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them.
[Jeremiah 36:25]
The Lord
saw that there was no one, and was appalled that there was no
one to intervene; so his own arm brought him victory, and
his righteousness upheld him. [Isaiah 59:16]
Naomi
said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, "It is better, my daughter,
that you go out with his young women, otherwise you might be
bothered in another field." [Ruth 2:22]
Jacob
went on his way and the angels of God met him. [Genesis
32:1]
Samson answered the Philistines, "Swear to me that you
yourselves will not attack me." [Judges 15:12]
lachash,
to whisper, mumble
Lord,
in distress they sought you, they poured out a prayer
when your chastening was on them. [Isaiah 26:16]
When
David saw that his servants were whispering together, he
perceived that the child was dead. [II Samuel 12:19]
The
wicked have venom like the venom of a serpent, like the deaf
adder that stops its ear, so that it does not hear the voice of
charmers or of the cunning enchanter. [Psalm 58:4-5]
For
now the Sovereign, the Lord
of hosts, is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah support
and staff . . warrior and soldier, judge and prophet, diviner
and elder, captain of fifty and dignitary, counselor and
skillful magician and expert enchanter. [Isaiah 3:1-3]
tsela
(Aramaic), to bow
Whatever is needed─young bulls, rams, or sheep for burnt
offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, or oil, as
the priests in Jerusalem require─let that be given to them day
by day without fail, so that they may offer pleasing sacrifices
to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king
and his children.
[Ezra 6:9-10]
Although Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he
continued to go to his house, which had windows in its upper
room open toward Jerusalem, and to get down on his knees three
times a day to pray to his God and praise him, just as he
had done previously. [Daniel 6:10]
ba’u
(Aramaic), a request or petition
All
the presidents of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the
counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should
establish an ordinance and enforce an interdict, that whoever
prays to anyone, divine or human, for thirty days, except to
you, O king, shall be thrown into a den of lions. [Daniel 6:7]
Then
they responded to the king, "Daniel, one of the exiles from
Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the interdict you
have signed, but he is saying his prayers three times a
day." [Daniel 6:13]
euchomai,
wish
Paul
replied, "Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that not
only you but also all who are listening to me today might become
such as I am─except for these chains." [Acts 26:29
For
we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. This is what we
pray for, that you may become perfect.
[II Corinthians 13:9]
For I
could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from
Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to
the flesh. [Romans 9:3]
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that
you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.
[III John 1:2]
proseuchomai,
toward + wish
I say
to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you. [Matthew 5:44]
In
the morning, while it was still very dark, Jesus got up and went
out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. [Mark
1:35]
Then
Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, "I was
in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a
vision. [Acts 11:4-5]
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know
how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes
with sighs too deep for words. [Romans 8:26]
And
this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and
more with knowledge and full insight. [Philippians 1:9]
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for
you. [I Thessalonians 5:16-18]
deomai,
to beg
Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to
the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be
forgiven you. [Acts 8:22]
Night
and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face
to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith. [I
Thessalonians 3:10]
Then
Jesus said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the
laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest
to send out laborers into his harvest." [Matthew 9:37-38]
So we
are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal
through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be
reconciled to God. [II Corinthians 5:20]
Once,
when Jesus was in one of the cities, there was a man covered
with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the
ground and begged him, "Lord, if you choose, you can make
me clean." [Luke 5:12]
Paul
replied, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of an
important city; I beg you, let me speak to the people."
[Acts 21:39]
deesis,
from deomai
The
angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your
prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a
son, and you will name him John. [Luke 1:13]
Then
they said to him, "John's disciples, like the disciples of the
Pharisees, frequently fast and pray, but your disciples
eat and drink.” [Luke 5:33]
Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God
for them is that they may be saved. [Romans 10:1]
Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray (euchomai)
for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of
the righteous is powerful and effective. [James 5:16]
aiteo,
to beg
I pray
therefore that you may not lose heart over my sufferings for
you; they are your glory. [Ephesians 3:13]
Give
to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone
who wants to borrow from you. [Matthew 5:42]
Until
now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask
and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. [John
16:24]
From
everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and
from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be
demanded. [Luke 12:48]
The
jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down
trembling before Paul and Silas. [Acts 16:29]
erotao,
to interrogate
There
is sin that is mortal; I do not say that you should pray
about that. [I John 5:16]
Jesus
did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged
him, saying, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us."
[Matthew 15:23]
When
Jesus was alone, those who were around him along with the twelve
asked him about the parables. [Mark 4:10]
While
Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with
him; so he went in and took his place at the table. [Luke
11:37]
They
all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, “I have
bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please
accept my regrets.” [Luke 14:18]
They
said, "If you are the Messiah, tell us." He replied, "If I tell
you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you
will not answer. [Luke 22:67-68]
When
he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and
begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at
the point of death. [John 4:47]
We
appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who
labor among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish
you. [I Thessalonians 5:12]
A
survey of the biblical words translated as pray or prayer
reveals that, with the possible exceptions of proseuchomai
and deesis, people in former times used the same
language for their relationship with God as they used to
describe certain interactions among themselves. For the most
part, these words indicate an appeal from the weaker to the
stronger of two parties. These forms of entreaty may at times
have been simply expressions of good manners. People today
trying to be polite “beg” to differ in an argument and say
“please” when giving orders to a subordinate. Yet, for the most
part, the words for prayer and praying are requests that the
petitioner earnestly desires to receive from someone with the
power to bestow favors.
For
people who believe that God responds to prayers, the biblical
language of prayer is quite congenial. For those who are not
convinced that God intervenes in nature or in human history,
however, the language can be a barrier to the practice of
religion.4 For them, the idea that God grants and
withholds favors, either arbitrarily or judgmentally, may be
repugnant to the vision of a loving and merciful God. In
reaction to the notion of an interventionist God, they tend to
renounce prayer or God or both.
Other skeptics are
not so easily put off. They find great value in a discipline of
prayer that does not include the expectation that God will do
anything at all in response to their wishing, asking,
requesting, imploring, beseeching, appealing, urging,
whispering, demanding
or begging. Instead of an attempt to prompt God into taking
action, prayer can be a way of enhancing the life of the one who
prays.5 Even without an expectation of external
results, prayer can encourage perspective, reduce stress,
strengthen bonds of affection, enhance enjoyment, free
creativity, and nourish faith.6
_________________
-
For behold, see From
Literal to Literary, pp. 40-42.
-
For love, see From Literal
to Literary, pp. 162-164.
-
For judge, see From
Literal to Literary, pp. 143-145.
-
For religion, see From
Literal to Literary, pp. 206-207.
-
For more on skeptics at
prayer, see James R. Adams,
So
You Think You’re Not Religious?
(Cambridge, MA: Cowley Publications, 1989),
pp. 80-106.
-
For faith, see From
Literal to Literary, pp. 92-95.