### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun αἴτημα (aítēma, `{{G155}}`) is derived from the verb αἰτέω (aiteō, `{{G154}}`), which means "to ask," "to beg," or "to demand." At its core, αἴτημα refers to the *thing asked for* or the *content of a request*. It can also, less frequently, denote the act of asking itself, but its primary emphasis is on the specific object or subject of a petition.
Its semantic range encompasses:
* A concrete "request" or "petition" presented to an authority, whether human or divine.
* The "thing desired" or "that which is sought."
* In some contexts, a "demand" or "requirement," carrying a stronger sense of insistence.
Crucially, αἴτημα distinguishes itself from more general terms for prayer. While prayer (προσευχή, `{{G4335}}`) is the act of addressing God, and supplication (δέησις, `{{G1162}}`) emphasizes the need or entreaty, αἴτημα pinpoints the specific, articulated desire or subject matter of that prayer.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term αἴτημα appears four times in the New Testament, each instance offering unique contextual insights:
* **[[Luke 23:24]]**: "So Pilate decided to grant their demand." Here, αἴτημα describes the insistent "demand" or "request" of the crowd for Jesus' crucifixion. This usage highlights the word's capacity to convey a forceful, even unjust, petition, where the will of the petitioners is being imposed. The context is one of political pressure and mob mentality, resulting in a tragic outcome.
* **[[Philippians 4:6]]**: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." This is perhaps the most significant theological usage. αἴτημα is paired with προσευχή (prayer). While προσευχή refers to the general act of communicating with God, αἴτημα specifies the particular "requests" or "petitions" that are to be brought before Him. The inclusion of "with thanksgiving" underscores the attitude of trust and gratitude that should accompany these specific requests, leading to God's peace.
* **[[Ephesians 3:20]]**: "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..." In this doxology, αἴτημα refers to the "things we ask" in prayer. The verse emphasizes God's boundless capacity to exceed even the most comprehensive or ambitious petitions of His people. It speaks to the infinite nature of God's power and generosity in responding to the specific αἴτημα of believers.
* **[[1 John 5:15]]**: "And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him." The context is confidence in prayer. The "whatever we ask" refers to the specific αἴτημα (aítēma) that is made according to God's will (implied by the preceding verse, [[1 John 5:14]]). The assurance given is that if the *content* of the request is aligned with divine purpose, God grants it, reinforcing the efficacy of specific, Spirit-led petitions.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **αἰτέω (aiteō, `{{G154}}`):** The verbal root, meaning "to ask," "to beg," "to demand." αἴτημα is the concrete outcome or object of this action. Understanding the verb helps to grasp the active nature of formulating an αἴτημα.
* **δέησις (deēsis, `{{G1162}}`):** "Supplication," "entreaty." Often appears alongside προσευχή (proseuchē, `{{G4335}}`). While δέησις highlights the sense of need, urgency, and dependence in prayer, αἴτημα focuses on the specific *content* being requested. One might offer a δέησις (supplication) for a particular αἴτημα (request).
* **προσευχή (proseuchē, `{{G4335}}`):** "Prayer," the general act of devotion and communication with God. αἴτημα represents the specific, articulate components *within* such prayer. As seen in [[Philippians 4:6]], προσευχή (the general act) contains specific αἴτημα (the particular requests).
* **ἐρώτημα (erōtēma, `{{G2062}}`):** "Question," "inquiry." While also involving asking, ἐρώτημα typically seeks information or clarification, whereas αἴτημα seeks the granting of a favor or the fulfillment of a desire.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of αἴτημα is profound, particularly in the realm of prayer and divine-human interaction:
* **Intimacy and Accessibility of God:** The invitation to present specific αἴτημα to God ([[Philippians 4:6]]) underscores His accessibility and willingness to engage with the detailed concerns of His people. It fosters a relationship built on open communication and trust.
* **Confidence in Prayer:** Passages like [[1 John 5:15]] highlight the believer's confidence that God hears and responds to specific, righteous αἴτημα. This confidence is not presumptuous but rooted in God's character and His revealed will. It encourages believers to articulate their needs precisely.
* **God's Sovereignty and Abundance:** While believers are encouraged to make their αἴτημα known, God's response is always within His sovereign will and often exceeds human expectation. [[Ephesians 3:20]] reveals God's capacity to do "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine," demonstrating His limitless power and generous nature. This perspective balances human petition with divine omnipotence.
* **Discernment in Asking:** The stark contrast between the righteous αἴτημα of believers seeking God's peace ([[Philippians 4:6]]) and the unrighteous αἴτημα of the crowd demanding Jesus' crucifixion ([[Luke 23:24]]) implicitly teaches the critical importance of discerning what to ask for. True prayer involves aligning one's αἴτημα with God's perfect will, rather than selfish desires (cf. [[James 4:3]]).
* **Antidote to Anxiety:** In the context of [[Philippians 4:6]], the act of presenting specific αἴτημα with thanksgiving is presented as a means of overcoming anxiety. This theological insight emphasizes that releasing concrete worries into God's capable hands through focused petitions brings about divine peace that transcends human understanding.
### Summary
αἴτημα (aítēma, `{{G155}}`) is a vital Greek term denoting a specific "request," "petition," or "demand," derived from the verb "to ask" (αἰτέω, `{{G154}}`). It represents the concrete content or object of an asking, distinguishing itself from general prayer or supplication. In the New Testament, αἴτημα illuminates key aspects of the believer's relationship with God: the invitation to present specific needs and desires with thanksgiving ([[Philippians 4:6]]), the confidence that God hears and answers requests made according to His will ([[1 John 5:15]]), and the assurance that God's power can far exceed even the most ambitious αἴτημα ([[Ephesians 3:20]]). While primarily associated with righteous petitions, the term can also describe unrighteous or forceful demands, as seen in the crowd's αἴτημα leading to Jesus' crucifixion ([[Luke 23:24]]). Thus, αἴτημα deepens our understanding of prayer as a specific, confident, and discerning interaction with a sovereign and generous God, leading to peace amidst life's anxieties.
TRV