Greek word study: Prayer

Four different Greek words for prayer in the NT:
(yoo-kay) euche:                  as in petition or vow
James 5:15 “And the prayer (euche) of faith shall save the sick…”
(dee’-om-ah-ee) deomai:       as in making a request
Luke 10:2 “…pray (deomai) ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest”
 (deh’-ay-sis) deesis:            petition or supplication
Luke 1:13 “”But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for your prayer
(deesis) is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son…”
 (pros-yoo-kay’) proseuche:   praying earnestly (intensely serious)
Matt 17:21 “…this kind (of demon) goes not out but by prayer(proseuche) and fasting

We will look at proseuche, where the most intensive prayer is done. We’ll keep in mind our English word prosecute (which means to institute legal proceedings against someone in reference to a crime; in this case; satan).
1 Thess 5:17 “Pray (proseuche) without ceasing”

Because the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (2 Cor 10:4), and we don’t fight against flesh and blood (Eph 6:12) we must take our sword (Eph 6:17) and fight the good fight of the faith (1 Tim 6:12) as a soldier (2 Tim 2:4) and cast down  imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor 10:5).

Because we  have an enemy (our flesh) on the inside (Gal 5:17) and on the outside (2 Cor 2:11) There is a continuous fight going on that we need to bring out in our ‘courts’ or minds. The thief (John 10:10)  came to steal, kill and destroy, doing this with the power of words (Prov 18:21).

What we don’t conquer; will conquer us (1 John 4:4/Rom 8:37). The devil made the world system to destroy us (James 4:4), so that you might not win, but in the Spirit, you always win.

In our minds we must put the words of the devil on trial. These are also known as the ‘gates’ of hell (Matt 16:18). Any thoughts or fantasies (imaginations) that are selfish or ungodly; we take the true evidence (John 8:14) of the word and prosecute the devil by casting out his thoughts in ourselves and in some cases, taking our legal authority and casting him out of someone else (Matt 8:11,17:21).

Our faith (or beliefs) are also on trial (1 Pet 1:7). Our accuser will try to prosecute us, but if we hold unto our beliefs (faith) as a shield (Eph 6:16), the living water in us will quench the very darts of hell.

Another verb form of this is prosecho; meaning attend, beware, take heed as in Luke 17:3 “Take heed (prosecho) to yourselves” or Luke 12:2 “Beware (prosecho) the leaven of the Pharisees…” Whether these words come from those who put themselves in authority use words from the ‘gates’, or words that we have grown up with from peers or parents are different than the Word, we must first check all with the righteousness of God within us, being ready to
revenge (or avenge) all disobedience, when our obedience is fulfilled (2 Cor 10:6).