Prayer of Authority

The third type of prayer is the prayer of authority taken from the word aiteo (ai-teo). The word aiteo is use eighty times in the new testement making it the third most used word for prayer.

The meaning of the word aiteo is “I ask or I demand.” This word may seem a somewhat strange word for prayer. Why is that? Because this word does not refer to someone humbly asking something from God, but rather, this word describes someone who prays authoritatively, almost demanding something from God! This person knows what he needs and is not afraid to boldly ask that he receive it.

Unlike the word deesis, which has to do with spiritual needs and want, the word aiteo has to do with primarily with tangible needs, such as food, shelter, money, and so forth.

How can someone approach God in such a demanding way, commanding and demanding that their needs be met by God? Jesus gave us the key to understanding this word aiteo in John 15:7. The Lord Jesus said, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

The word “ask” is taken from the word aiteo. The verse could be translated, “

…ye shall demand what ye will…” Some people are disturbed by this notion of “demanding” something from God. However, its not so disturbing when you keep it in context with the entire verse.

Notice in this beginning of this verse the Lord says, “ if ye abide in me, and my words abide in you…” the word abide is used twice. In both instances the word “abide” is taken from the word meno (me-no), which means, “to stay, to indwell, to lodge, to remain in constant union with.”

So you could translate the verse “If you permanently remain continually in me, and my word remains continually in you, strongly ask for whatever you wish for, and it will happen to you.”

Jesus knew that if His word took up permanent residence in our hearts and mind that we would never ask for anything that did not line up with his will for our lives. Thus when a believer lets the Word of God to habitually and permanently lodge in their heart and mind, that word so transforms your heart and mind that when you pray you will do so in accordance to the Word of God.

When you know that you are praying in Gods will, you do not have to sheepishly ask your request, rather you can boldly assert your faith and except God to move on your behalf! As the writer of Hebrews stated “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)”

The word aiteo is also found in 1John 5:14,15. In these verses John says, “ And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:(15) And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

Notice that John says, “And this is the confidence…” The word confidence is derived from the word parresia (par-re-sia), and it always depicts someone who is exceedingly “bold or courageous.” It is as though John says, “ If you want to know why we are so bold, courageous and outspoken when we pray, here is the reason why…”

The verses also goes on to tell us, “...that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us, and if he hears us, what so ever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desire of him.”

Notice that John says, “…that if we ask anything according to his will…” the word “ask” is once again taken from the word aiteo. It must be pointed out that the word “ask” (aiteo) is once again connected to knowing the will of God in one’s life.

If the word of God is present and living in your life you can enter into Gods presence and boldly make your requests known. Why? Because you know Gods will for your life.

For other examples of the word aiteo see: Ephesians 3:20, James 1:5-6, and 1John 3:20

Prayer of Thanks Giving

The Forth most common type of prayer in the New Testament is taken from the word eucharistia. The word eucharistia, and its various forms, is used fifteen times throughout the New Testament.

The word eucharistia (eu-cha-ris-tia) is a compound word of the words eu and charistia. The word eu describes something that is “good or swell.” It denotes a general good disposition or feeling about something. The word charistia is from the word charis, the word “grace.”

When compounded together into one word, the word eucharistia refers to “wonderful and good sentiments that freely flow up out of the heart in response to something.” It is primarily used when Paul joyfully thanks God for someone or some group of individuals.

For instance, when Paul wrote to Ephesians church, he was so overwhelmed with the grace of God in their midst, freely up from the midst in his heart, he said, “ I … cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.” Eph. 1:15,16 the idea is that he couldn’t help but give thanks to God for them. His feelings concerning them could not be contained. In Colossians 1:3 Paul also says this about the Colossians church.

In 1^st and 2^nd Thessalonians, he prays similarly for the Thessalonians believers. Furthermore, Paul used the word eucharistia. In 1^st Thes 5:18, when he tells us, “ in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

According to this verse, it is God’s will that we use the prayer of Thanksgiving in every aspect of our lives. Paul says, “ in every thing …” The Greek could be better rendered, “in every possible occasion and in every possible way.” This plainly means that the spirit of Thanksgiving should play a dominant role in our lives.

Especially when praying for others, stop for a moment, and think of what God has done in their lives. Though they may still have flaws that upset you, they have made great progress from where they used to be. When you are reminded of what Gods grace has already done in their lives and how much they have already changed you will be able to give freely and unreservedly thank God for his transforming work in them.

This “lance of supplication of prayer” is extremely important in our spiritual lives. While most would prefer to talk about supplication, intercession and other forms of prayer the prayer of thanksgiving is also a very important part of our spiritual weaponry.

Prayer of Supplication

The fifth form of prayer used in the New Testament is taken from the word enteuxis. The work enteuxis and its various forms (including the root, entugchano) are used only 5 times in the New Testament.

The word enteuxis is taken from the root entugchano, which is compound of the word en and tugchano. The word en means ‘in or into’. The word tugchano means ‘to happen upon’. When joined together these words mean ‘to fall into a situation’ with someone else, or to “happen into a circumstance’ with someone else.

The word enteuxis is usually translated as the word “intercession” in the New Testament. However, enteuxis does not necessarily refer to intercession as most people think of as intercession. (i.e., prayer for other people). The word enteuxis rather carries the idea of someone who comes to God in simple child-like faith, to freely enjoy in fellowship in the presence of the Lord. It can be called prayer in its most individual and simplest form.

Indeed, this is the idea, to supplicate with the Lord. This word has been used to describe the relationship between two lovers; two people who happened upon each other found or discovered each other and are now sharing their lives together. This is a wonderfully intimate prayer wherefore we come before God in child-like faith, learning to freely express our desires and ourselves. To unreservedly enjoy his wonderful presence this is a special time in prayer when God by his spirit showers us in love and life changing life-transforming acceptance.

Prayer of Intercession

The sixth word for prayer used in the NT huperentugchano (hu-per-en-tug-cha-no). the word huperentugchano is only found once in the entire NT making it the rarest of prayer words. The only usage of huperentugchano in the NT is found in Rom 8:26. However, it is not used in connection with us; rather, it is used in connection with the Holy Spirit.

Rom 8:26 says, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

Did you notice who was doing this particular work of intercession? The Holy Spirit! Paul says, “… but the Spirit itself [Himself] maketh intercession…” therefore, this word for intercession, huperentugchano, is not in intercessory work which we do, but a work which the Holy Spirit does on our behalf. That is why this word is only used once in the entire NT, and that is here, used in reference to the Holy Spirit.

The word intercession is an old word meaning “to fall in on behalf of someone else”. It’s a word of rescue. For instance, if someone fell into a cavern, you would have to descend down into the cavern with him or her in order to get him or her out. This is precisely the idea of this word intercession.

Paul tells us that this is a special work of intercession done by the Holy Spirit himself, when he joins us in our circumstances; and then begins working a plan to get us out of the mess.

True intercessory ministry of the Holy spirit comes when you are at a loss for words and don’t know how to pray. Suddenly and supernaturally the Holy Spirit joins with you in rhythm of prayer.

The Holy Spirit, in all his wonderful attributes and personality, feels everything you feel, he understands the complete inadequacy that you experience understands the battles you are facing is willing to fall into the circumstances with you feeling everything you feel emotions and frustrations then he begins a plan of rescue.

The word intercession means, “to fall in with someone else”. Not just so you can be down in the dumps with them but so you can be rescued renewed and delivered from that predicament. This is what the intercessory ministry of the Holy Spirit is all about. Who experiences this type of supernatural intercession and divine intervention? Rom. 8:26 says, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities”. Notice the word “infirmities.” This could be translated “likewise the Spirit helps those who know they are weak and infirmed…” this is exactly what Paul had in mind. It is when we recognize our own weaknesses that we open our hearts and souls to the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Until we recognize our need, He is limited to how much freedom the has to move in our lives

When, however, we come to grips with our need for supernatural assistance, and open our hearts to His help, this liberates the Holy Spirit to release his power in us – and liberates him to begin doing His supernatural work of intercession in our lives.

As a Final word on this series we have gone over the Armor in great detail and as you have learned it is of vital importance, that as a believer we be well grounded in the Word of God I can only encourage you to take advantage of the Internet, this server and the offerings you find here to build your knowledge of the Word. Together with spending quality time in the Word you will develop an armor that is un-destroyable.

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