Luke’s Emphasis on Prayer in Luke-Acts
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A Study
A Study
Different Words for Prayer in the NT and Their Respected Usage and Definition
Different Words for Prayer in the NT and Their Respected Usage and Definition
Participle - προσεύχομαι
LXX usage - 98x in 95 verses
NT usage - 85x in 90 verses
Apostolic Fathers usage - 23x in 20 verses
Gospel of Luke usage - 19x in 18 verses
Acts usage - 16x in 16 verses
We see that 35 out of the 85 times this participle is used in the NT it is used by Luke.
Gospel of Matthew usage - 15x in 13 verses
Gospel of Mark usage - 10x in 10 verses
Gospel of John usage - 0x in 0 verses
Definition:
προσεύχομαι (proseuchomai). vb. to petition deity, to pray. This word refers to praying.
This is the main Greek verb used to refer to the act of praying, which in the NT is always directed at God; proseuchomai is related to the verb εὔχομαι (euchomai, “to wish”). In the Septuagint, proseuchomai is the usual translation of פָּלַל (pālal, “to pray”). In the NT it occurs with particular frequency in the Gospels and in Acts. The manner of praying (proseuchomai) can be specified more precisely with phrases such as “in/with tongues,” “in/with the Spirit,” and “in/with the mind” (e.g., 1 Cor 14:14–15). A person prays (proseuchomai) a prayer (προσευχή, proseuchē); both words together (e.g., Luke 6:12; Eph 6:18; Jas 5:17) express a prayer being prayed emphatically or fervently.
Citation: Daniel DeWitt Lowery, “Prayer,” in Lexham Theological Wordbook, ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).
Noun (fem) - προσευχή
LXX usage - 112x in 108 verses
NT usage - 36x in 36 verses
Apostolic Fathers usage - 27x in 24 verses
Gospel of Luke usage - 3x in 3 verses
Acts usage - 9x in 9 verses
We see that 12 out of the 36 times this noun is used in the NT it is used by Luke.
Definition: προσευχή (proseuchē). n. fem. prayer, place of prayer. What a person prays; place of prayer.
The noun proseuchē is the usual Septuagint translation of the Hebrew תְּפִלָּה (tĕpillâ, “prayer”). It is related to the verb προσεύχομαι (proseuchomai, “to pray”) and is usually simply what the subject prays—i.e., the prayer or petition prayed to God (e.g., Matt 21:22; Acts 10:31). In two places in the NT, however, the proseuchē refers to a specific place of prayer (Acts 16:13, 16).
Citation: Daniel DeWitt Lowery, “Prayer,” in Lexham Theological Wordbook, ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).
Verb - ευχομαι
LXX usage - 85x in 79 verses
NT usage - 7x in 7 verses
Apostolic Fathers usage - 16x in 16 verses
Gospel of Luke usage - 0x in 0 verses
Acts usage - 2x in 2 verses
2 out of the 7 times this noun is used in the NT it is used by Luke.
Definition: εὔχομαι (euchomai). vb. to desire strongly. Describes the act of expressing a wish or strong desire, especially through prayer.
This verb originally meant “to speak out,” but later came to express a wish and therefore function in the context of prayer. In the NT it often means “to pray” or “to wish” to God (e.g., 2 Cor 13:7; Jas 5:16). The verb can also be used to express the act of deeply desiring something. An example of this use of euchomai is found in Rom 9:3, where Paul declares his desire to become accursed in order to save his fellow Israelites.
Citation: Francesco Bianchi, “Desire,” in Lexham Theological Wordbook, ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).
εὐχή
LXX usage - 87x in 84 verses
NT usage - 3x in 3 verses
Apostolic Fathers usage - 6x in 6 verses
Definition: εὐχή (euchē). n. fem. wish, prayer, vow. Although common in Classical Greek and in the LXX, this noun appears only infrequently in the NT (three times) to refer to a prayer or a vow.
This noun is related to εὔχομαι (euchomai, “to pray”). It is the usual Septuagint translation of נֶדֶר (neder, “vow”). A euchē is, in essence, a promise to do something, and failure to follow through on the promise will result in some penalty. In James 5:15 it is essentially a prayer, and twice in Acts (Acts 18:18; 21:23) it refers more accurately to a vow. The usual assumption in these two cases is that the vow is more specifically a Nazirite vow (Num 6:2, 5, 6, 12).
Citation: Daniel DeWitt Lowery, “Oaths and Vows,” in Lexham Theological Wordbook, ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).
Verb - δέομαι
LXX usage - 50x in 48 verses
NT usage - 22x in 22 verses
Apostolic Fathers usage - 6x in 6 verses
Gospel of Luke usage - 8x in 8 verses
Acts usage - 7x in 7 verses
15 out of the 22 times this verb is used in the NT it is used by Luke.
Definition: δέομαι (deomai). vb. to beg, to pray. This verb refers to asking pleadingly, and can be used to indicate praying to God.
The original sense of deomai is related to being in need of something. From this, it came to be used for making a request based on need. In the NT, it can be simply part of a courtesy formula (“I ask (deomai) of you”—i.e., “please”; Acts 8:34; 21:39), or a stronger request (“I implore (deomai) you”; 2 Cor 5:20). The word deomai takes on the fuller sense of a prayer when addressed to God (e.g., Matt 9:38; Luke 21:36).
Citation: Daniel DeWitt Lowery, “Prayer,” in Lexham Theological Wordbook, ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).
Luke’s Emphasis on Prayer Compared to Other Gospel Writers
Luke’s Emphasis on Prayer Compared to Other Gospel Writers
Jesus’s Water Baptism
Only Luke mentioned that Jesus was praying during His water baptism.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened,
Peter’s Confession of Jesus Being the Messiah
Only Luke mentioned that Jesus was praying prior to this famous discussion.
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.
Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”
The Transfiguration
Only Luke mentioned that Jesus’s purpose to ascend the mountain was to pray, and that while He was praying His appearance was transfigured.
And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.
And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.
Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.
Other Emphases on Prayer
Only Luke mentioned the multitude of people that were praying outside at the hour of incense before Zechariah had his angelic encounter (Luke 1:10).
Only Luke includes Jesus’s parable found in Luke 18:1-8, where its purpose was stated that, “…they ought always to pray and not lose heart and the parable of the Tax collector and Pharisee praying in the Temple (Luke 18:9-14).
Only Luke mentioned that Jesus’s sweat during His time in Gethsemane was like great drops of blood, and that angels strengthened Him during those few hours (Luke 22:43-44).
Only Luke mentioned that Jesus prayed all night, and that was before choosing His 12 apostles (Luke 6:12).
Only Luke mentioned that a believer should pray (beg) that they would have strength to escape the destruction of Jerusalem (Luke 21:36).
Only Luke records Jesus stating that He personally prayed for Peter, that his faith would not fail (Luke 22:32), unless John 17:9, 15 was that prayer.
Luke’s Emphasis on Prayer in the Book of Acts
Luke’s Emphasis on Prayer in the Book of Acts
Nearly every chapter mentions prayer.
All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer [προσευχή], together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen
Acts 2 is the account of the day of Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit filled the 120 believers in the upper room, and they began to pray/speak in tongues. A miracle of prayer occurred.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
Acts 4:23-31 records a prayer spoken by members of the early church which had a powerful affect; the place they were in was shaken and they were freshly filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with all boldness.
But we will devote ourselves to prayer [προσευχή] and to the ministry of the word.”
These they set before the apostles, and they prayed [προσεύχομαι] and laid their hands on them.
And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.
And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying,
But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.
Cornelius also recounted the angelic encounter in Acts 10:30-31.
The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray.
This story was again recounted in Acts 11:5.
At the end of Acts 10 is where you have the miracle of the Gentiles being baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Another miracle of prayer has occurred.
So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.
As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,
And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed
“When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance
It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him.
Why Does Luke Emphasize Prayer?
Why Does Luke Emphasize Prayer?
Luke is a physician, who compiled an orderly account from numerous eye witnesses about the things which took place during the days of Jesus’s earthly ministry and the early period of His church. He must have noticed a common theme of prayer in many of these accounts.
Luke was one of Paul’s closest traveling companions, who was a man of prayer. He witnessed first-hand the prayer life of some of God’s greatest generals. This no doubt left a mark on his life and influenced his writing.
