Requests
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In the biblical context, requests are often understood as petitions or supplications made to God or to others. The act of making requests is a significant aspect of the believer's relationship with God, reflecting both dependence on and trust in His providence and sovereignty.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, requests are frequently made in the form of prayers or supplications. One notable example is found in the account of Hannah, who earnestly prayed for a child. In 1 Samuel 1:10-11 , it is written, "In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears. And she made a vow, pleading, 'O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever come over his head.'"

The Psalms also contain numerous examples of requests made to God, often seeking deliverance, guidance, or forgiveness. Psalm 5:1-3 illustrates this: "Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning. Attend to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I pray. In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Jesus teaches about the nature of requests in prayer. In Matthew 7:7-8 , He instructs, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." This passage emphasizes the importance of persistence and faith in making requests to God.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the concept of requests in his epistles. In Philippians 4:6 , he writes, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Here, Paul encourages believers to bring their needs before God with a spirit of gratitude and trust.

Theological Implications

Requests in the Bible are not merely about asking for personal desires but are deeply connected to the believer's faith and relationship with God. They reflect a recognition of God's authority and a reliance on His wisdom and timing. The act of making requests is also an expression of humility, acknowledging human limitations and the need for divine intervention.

Furthermore, the Bible teaches that requests should align with God's will. In 1 John 5:14-15 , it is stated, "This is the confidence that we have in Him: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him." This underscores the importance of seeking God's will in prayer and trusting in His perfect plan.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to make their requests known to God, trusting in His goodness and faithfulness. This involves not only asking for personal needs but also interceding for others, seeking wisdom, and desiring spiritual growth. The practice of making requests is an integral part of a vibrant prayer life, fostering a deeper connection with God and a greater understanding of His purposes.
Greek
1905. eperotao -- to inquire of
... by someone on "preferred footing" who makes a request from a "preferred position."
2065 ("ask pointedly") is the regular word used for making requests to the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1905.htm - 8k

155. aitema -- a request
... request. Word Origin from aiteo Definition a request NASB Word Usage demand
(1), requests (2). petition, request, required. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/155.htm - 6k

2065. erotao -- to ask, question
... 2065 ("to ask on , intimacy") requests from a "preferred position" (E. Abbot, ,
467,8). Such requesting receives because of the special relationship involved. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2065.htm - 9k

1809. exaiteo -- to ask for oneself (mid.), demand
... 1809 ("totally hand over") only occurs in Lk 22:31. Here Satan requests Peter
be God's hands -- and . (What a frightening place to land!). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1809.htm - 7k

Library

Paul and his Requests for Prayer
... XV. PAUL AND HIS REQUESTS FOR PRAYER. ... The earnestness of his soul goes out in these
requests. Hear him in this entreaty for prayer he is writing to the Romans: ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/xv paul and his requests.htm

In what Manner Requests Should be Made for These.
... Book II. Chapter XXXVIII."In what Manner Requests should be made for these.
"But it is possible that those who have become masters ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xxxviii in what manner requests.htm

What Augustin Requests from his Readers. The Errors of Readers ...
... The fifteen books of aurelius augustinus, Bishop of Hippo, on the TrinityBook
I. Chapter 3."What Augustin Requests from His Readers. ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 3 what augustin requests from.htm

The Emperor of the West Requests his Brother to Send Him Three ...
... Chapter XVIII."The Emperor of the West requests his Brother to send him Three Persons
who could give an Account of the Deposition of Athanasius and Paul. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter xviii the emperor of the.htm

On Reading --Vocal Prayer --Requests.
... A SHORT METHOD OF PRAYER. CHAPTER XIII. ON READING"VOCAL PRAYER"REQUESTS. ... The soul
will find that it cannot, as formerly, present definite requests to God. ...
/.../chapter xiii on readingvocal prayerrequests.htm

Paul and his Requests for Prayer (Continued)
... PAUL AND HIS REQUESTS FOR PRAYER (Continued). ... Paul's prayer requests embraced
"supplication for all saints," but especially for apostolic courage for himself. ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/xvi paul and his requests.htm

Peter Requests Him to be his Attendant.
... Book I. Chapter XVII."Peter Requests Him to Be His Attendant. Having
thus spoken, he set forth to me so openly and so clearly ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xvii peter requests him to.htm

Our Requests Made Known unto God
... CHAPTER 2 OUR REQUESTS MADE KNOWN UNTO GOD. OUR REQUESTS MADE KNOWN UNTO GOD ". . .
Let your requests be made known unto God." " Phil.4:6. ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 2 our requests made.htm

May 26. "Be Careful for Nothing; but in Everything by Prayer and ...
... MAY 26. "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Phil. iv. 6). ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /may 26 be careful for.htm

The Fellowship of Prayer
... "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." " Phil.4:6. ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 1 the fellowship of.htm

Thesaurus
Requests (29 Occurrences)
...Requests (29 Occurrences). Matthew 6:8 So be not like them; because your Father
has knowledge of your needs even before you make your requests to him. (BBE). ...
/r/requests.htm - 15k

Petition (33 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:18 with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit,
and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the ...
/p/petition.htm - 19k

Praying (71 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:18 with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit,
and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the ...
/p/praying.htm - 27k

Watchful (17 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:18 with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit,
and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the ...
/w/watchful.htm - 11k

Equally (21 Occurrences)
... 1 John 5:15 And if we are certain that he gives ear to all our requests,
we are equally certain that we will get our requests. (BBE). ...
/e/equally.htm - 12k

Perseverance (27 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:18 with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit,
and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the ...
/p/perseverance.htm - 18k

Behalf (140 Occurrences)
... John 16:26 At that time you will make your requests in my name; and I do not promise
to ask the Father on your behalf, (WEY NAS NIV). John 17:9 I pray for them. ...
/b/behalf.htm - 37k

Saints (117 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:18 with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit,
and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the ...
/s/saints.htm - 39k

Watch (203 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:18 with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit,
and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the ...
/w/watch.htm - 40k

Prayers (99 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:18 With prayers and deep desires, making requests at all times in the
Spirit, and keeping watch, with strong purpose, in prayer for all the saints ...
/p/prayers.htm - 51k

Resources
What should I do when God says no? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of Philippians 4:6? | GotQuestions.org

What are the different types of prayer? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Requests (29 Occurrences)

Matthew 6:8
So be not like them; because your Father has knowledge of your needs even before you make your requests to him.
(BBE)

Matthew 7:11
If you, then, being evil, are able to give good things to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who make requests to him?
(BBE)

Luke 11:9
And I say to you, Make requests, and they will be answered; what you are searching for, you will get; when you give the sign, the door will be open to you.
(BBE)

Luke 16:3
And the servant said to himself, What am I to do now that my lord takes away my position? I have not enough strength for working in the fields, and I would be shamed if I made requests for money from people in the streets.
(BBE)

Luke 18:35
And it came about that when he got near Jericho, a certain blind man was seated by the side of the road, making requests for money from those who went by.
(BBE)

John 16:26
At that time you will make your requests in my name; and I do not promise to ask the Father on your behalf,
(WEY BBE)

Acts 3:10
And they saw that it was the man who made requests for money at the door of the Temple, and they were full of wonder and surprise at what had taken place.
(BBE)

Ephesians 6:18
with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints:
(WEB BBE NIV)

Philippians 1:4
always in every request of mine on behalf of you all making my requests with joy,
(WEB)

Philippians 4:6
In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Colossians 1:9
For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don't cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
(WEB)

1 Timothy 2:1
My desire is, first of all, that you will make requests and prayers and give praise for all men;
(BBE NIV)

Hebrews 5:7
Who in the days of his flesh, having sent up prayers and requests with strong crying and weeping to him who was able to give him salvation from death, had his prayer answered because of his fear of God.
(BBE)

1 John 3:22
And he gives us all our requests, because we keep his laws and do the things which are pleasing in his eyes.
(BBE)

1 John 5:15
And if we are certain that he gives ear to all our requests, we are equally certain that we will get our requests.
(BBE YLT NAS RSV)

1 Kings 8:54
Then Solomon, after making all these prayers and requests for grace to the Lord, got up from his knees before the altar of the Lord, where his hands had been stretched out in prayer to heaven;
(BBE)

1 Kings 9:3
And the Lord said to him, Your prayers and your requests for grace have come to my ears: I have made holy this house which you have made, and I have put my name there for ever; my eyes and my heart will be there at all times.
(BBE)

Nehemiah 2:8
and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the castle which appertains to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. The king granted me, according to the good hand of my God on me.
(See NIV)

Psalms 5:3
Yahweh, in the morning you shall hear my voice. In the morning I will lay my requests before you, and will watch expectantly.
(WEB NIV)

Psalms 20:5
We will triumph in your salvation. In the name of our God, we will set up our banners. May Yahweh grant all your requests.
(WEB BBE YLT NIV)

Psalms 57:2
I cry out to God Most High, to God who accomplishes my requests for me.
(WEB)

Psalms 86:6
O Lord, give ear to my prayer; and take note of the sound of my requests.
(BBE)

Psalms 143:1
<A Psalm. Of David.> Let my prayer come to you, O Lord; give ear to my requests for your grace; keep faith with me, and give me an answer in your righteousness;
(BBE)

Proverbs 18:23
The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.
(BBE)

Isaiah 43:23
You have not made me burned offerings of sheep, or given me honour with your offerings of beasts; I did not make you servants to give me an offering, and I did not make you tired with requests for perfumes.
(BBE)

Isaiah 58:2
Though they make prayer to me every day, and take pleasure in the knowledge of my ways: like a nation which has done righteousness, and has not given up the rules of their God, they make requests to me for the right orders, it is their delight to come near to God.
(BBE)

Daniel 9:18
My God, turn your ear, and hear; open your eyes, and see our desolations, and the city which is called by your name: for we do not present our petitions before you for our righteousness, but for your great mercies' sake.
(See NIV)

Micah 7:3
Their hands are made ready to do evil; the ruler makes requests for money, and the judge is looking for a reward; and the great man gives decisions at his pleasure, and the right is twisted.
(BBE)

Zechariah 8:22
And great peoples and strong nations will come to give worship to the Lord of armies in Jerusalem and to make requests for grace from the Lord.
(BBE)

Subtopics

Requests

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Requesting Wisdom
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