9: Prayer — Tefillah (OT), Proseuchē (NT), and Intertestamental Usage

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1. Hebrew Term: Tefillah — תְּפִלָּה

Pronunciation: tef-ih-LAH
Meaning: Prayer; an act of communication with God, including praise, petition, and confession.

Old Testament Usage:

  • Describes prayers of praise, lament, intercession, and thanksgiving.
  • Common in Psalms and prophetic literature.
    Example Verses:
  • Psalm 145:18 — “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth (tefillah).”
  • Daniel 9:3 — “I turned to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer (tefillah) and pleas…”

Intertestamental Usage:

  • Jewish literature reflects structured prayer practices and increased liturgical forms.
  • Emphasis on communal prayers and penitential rites.

New Testament Usage:

  • Proseuchē refers to prayer as worship, petition, and spiritual communication.
  • Used to describe both private and communal prayer.
    Example Verses:
  • Acts 1:14 — “These all with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer (proseuchē).”
  • Philippians 4:6 — “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer (proseuchē)…”

Comparative Summary:

  • Tefillah emphasizes heartfelt, covenantal communication with God in varied forms.
  • Proseuchē expands the concept into the New Testament church’s worship and spiritual life.
  • Intertestamental writings bridge personal and communal prayer developments.
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