Psalm 119:170

Psalm 119:170

Supplications

It’s a bit of a strange word, “supplication”, we all think we know what it means but then have second thoughts and look it up just to be sure! Why is it different to say, prayer? When does a request become a supplication? Is it just a religious term?

One dictionary says, “Although it is a noun, supplication comes from the Latin verb “supplicare,” which means "to plead humbly." While a supplication is often thought of as a religious prayer (it is used 60 times in the Bible), it can logically be applied to any situation in which you must entreat someone in power for help or a favour.”

There was a tradition, during the Middle Ages, called “Novena” (the Latin word for nine) where believers asked God for the same favour over a period of 9 days, especially during the period leading up to Christmas! For those of us who regularly bring our prayers and requests before the Lord there are times when we need to remember our place, adopt an attitude of humility and simply lay a situation before the Lord God. No complaining. No demanding. No rants. No deals. Just a calm and submissive request before the throne of a loving Father with the full assurance that He has heard and will respond in His time. That is supplication.

In the case of the psalmist, he required deliverance, he longed to be free from sickness, anxiety and his antagonists. In his supplications, he humbly pleaded but also reminded the Lord of His promise. Let’s do that today, whatever is troubling us, whatever looms large in our minds as we come to prayer, let’s remember who we are talking to and await His response.