Tag Archives: deesis

The Greek word “deesis”

Used about twenty times in the New Testament, the Greek noun “deesis” meant “prayer,” “supplication,” “request.”

This word is used to say prayers are “heard” (Lk. 1:13), and to say some requests are made “night and day” (Lk. 2:37; 2 Tim. 1:3).  Prayer can be offered for a nation (Rom. 10:1).  It should be made often (Phil. 4:6) and “for all men” (1 Tim. 2:1).  Jesus prayed (Heb. 5:7), and the “prayer” of righteous people can accomplish much (Jas. 5:16).  Evil people should not expect to accomplish anything by “deesis” (prayer, 1 Pet. 3:12).