Scripture Text: Philippians 4:6-7

As Christians, it is evident to us that prayer is an effective medium of communication with God. However, most of us do not really know or understand the effectiveness of supplication and how it affects our relationship with God as a whole.

Prayer and supplication are closely related and interconnected as they are both forms of reverence and invocation to God. However, there is a thin difference between supplication and prayer. Prayer is defined to be doxology, praise, thanksgiving, confession, supplication, and intercession to God. Prayer is the way to renewal and spiritual life. We can pray in thanksgiving, simply praising God for His many blessings and mercy, and it is a form of talking to God generally. What then is Supplication?

Supplication

Supplication (also known as petitioning) is a form of prayer, wherein one party humbly or earnestly asks God to provide something. Supplication is a request. And if the request is made to God, it becomes a prayer. However, supplications are not those quick or "sharp sharp" five minutes prayers we do. In a supplication, we ask God for something from a place of humility and desperation. When we are humble before God, we acknowledge our sinful condition as well as God’s holiness. Humility in the place of prayer helps us to pray with the right motive (James 4:1-3). Supplication arms us with the strength and courage to suffer and wait while we ask for relief. If we’re truly humble, we will ask in faith and continue to believe even when life does not turn out like we had hoped.

Biblical Examples of those who made Supplication to God

1. Moses: He asked to see God’s glory (Exodus 33:18)

2. Hannah: She asked for a son (1 Samuel 1:11)

3. David: He asked for punishment of his enemies (Psalm 83)

4. Hezekiah: He asked for God to prolong his life (2 Kings 20:1-3)

5. Esther: She asked for deliverance of the Jews (Esther 4:15-16)

6. Jesus: He asked for strength on the cross and power for believers (John 17)

Scriptures we can use to make supplication to God


- Psalm 20:4 – “May he give you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”

- 2 Chronicles 33:13 – “And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea.”

- Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

- Matthew 7:7-11 – “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

What are the things we can ask God in Supplication?

1. Divine Healing: Trusting the Lord as the Great Physician who can heal anybody. Being humble to His will and power over the sickness or disease, honouring and trusting Him regardless of what happens.
2. Interceding for someone: We can humbly request God to reveal Himself to any of our loved ones who are yet to experience Christ's salvation.
3. For Companionship: If anyone is lonely and needs a companion to share and experience love with, supplication can be made to God in this regard.
4. For Wisdom or Direction on an issue: Sometimes, when we feel so desperate or in a dilemma to making a right decision, we can humbly table it before God for Him to take over (Proverbs 3:5-6). We should wait on Him while I read His Word and listening for His voice. He will surely guide and use us according to His glory.
5. Supplication for Protection: We can humbly commit our lives into God's Hand to protect us from all harms and evils of this world. Let Him know that He is the only One you trust with your life.
6. Supplication for Faith: Many times, we need God to help us increase our faith especially when the situations may be looking impossible in human perspective and confused (Luke 1:37). God can help us overcome our doubts, fears and unbelief if we humbly seek Him for help (Mathew 7:7).

How To Make an Effective Supplication to God?

It is important to NOTE that supplications that are wrongly made may not be effective. There are things we must do that can help us get our desired requests from God in the place of supplication.

1. Ensure that you have accepted Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour. That is, the first step to an effective supplication is the salvation of our souls (James 5:16; John 3:16)

2. Give Praise and Thanksgiving to God: Just as today's Scripture tells us, our supplication should be made through thanksgiving... so that God can give us our requests.

3. Confess your sin: If we come to God with hidden sin, He will not hear your prayer. We need to ask God to reveal our sins to us (Psalm 51:1-7). Then we confess and forsake all our sins. We need to remember who we are and ask God for forgiveness in an active form of humility.

4. Lament!: Share your burdens, complaints, and confusion with God. He wants to hear you. Mentally lay your worries at God’s feet. (John 16:33, Matthew 11:30).

5. Ask God for His will: Don't be afraid to ask God for His good and perfect will you want. If you have praised, confessed, and lamented, your heart and mind are suppliant, ask that His will be done and He will answer you (John 14:14).

God made us to walk and talk with Him daily, to love Him and long for Him and pant for His Word. So, when we implore His power over our lives, we reveal our dependence on Him hence Supplication builds faith, even as it requires faith.

If you would like to give your life to Christ, say this short prayer: "Lord Jesus, I come to You today, come into my life, take control of my life and change my world, in Your name I pray, amen".

Congratulations!!!

God bless you.

Peace!