In the Bible, a “plea” refers to an earnest request or appeal for help, often in a context of prayer or supplication, as seen in various Psalms where individuals cry out to God for mercy and intervention. It signifies a deep sense of urgency and dependence on divine support in times of distress.
Scripture
1 Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
2 Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you— you are my God.
3 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day.
4 Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace.
7 In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.
Biblical Meaning of Plea
The biblical concept of a “plea” encapsulates a profound acknowledgment of human vulnerability and the need for divine assistance. In many instances throughout the Psalms, the authors express their desperation by making earnest pleas to God, demonstrating their reliance on Him for comfort and deliverance. For example, Psalm 4:1 states, “Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.” Such verses highlight not only the emotional weight of the plea but also the relationship between the supplicant and the divine, characterized by trust, intimacy, and hope in God’s responsive nature.
Beyond the emotional context, pleas in the Bible also encapsulate broader theological themes, such as justice, mercy, and redemption. In the book of Lamentations, for instance, the cries of the people serve both as personal lamentation and as a communal appeal for change amidst suffering and exile (Lamentations 3:44-46). Hence, these pleas represent more than mere requests; they reflect a deep-seated faith in God’s goodness and a longing for restoration. This dynamic interplay of seeking divine intervention and the call for justice illustrates how pleas become a pathway to understanding God’s character—merciful, just, and powerfully active in the affairs of humanity.
The biblical notion of a “plea” extends further into the realm of intercession, where individuals advocate for others who are in need. The stories of figures like Abraham and Moses exemplify this aspect of pleading, as they boldly approach God on behalf of others, seeking mercy and deliverance for entire nations or specific individuals. Abraham’s appeal for Sodom showcases his willingness to negotiate with God, pleading for the righteous within the sinful city. Such interactions emphasize not just a personal relationship with God, but also a communal responsibility to intercede for the welfare of others, revealing a facet of faith that encompasses compassion and advocacy.
Additionally, in the prophetic literature, pleas often take on a societal dimension, where the prophets boldly voice God’s concerns for justice and righteousness. They call upon people to turn from their wicked ways and to plead for mercy, encouraging a corporate return to faithfulness. In these contexts, the plea becomes a mechanism not just for individual deliverance, but also for the restoration of entire communities. The act of pleading therefore becomes a powerful testament to the intertwining of personal faith and social justice, underscoring how the Scriptures invite believers to engage in heartfelt supplication while also propelling them into action for the collective good, ultimately reflecting God’s desire for redemption and holistic healing in a fallen world.
Divine Communication and Intercession
In the Bible, a plea often represents a form of communication with God, where individuals express their needs, desires, or grievances. This act of pleading can be seen as a way to seek divine intervention or assistance in times of trouble. It highlights the relationship between humanity and the divine, emphasizing the importance of prayer and supplication in seeking guidance, mercy, or help. The act of pleading is not merely a request; it is an acknowledgment of one’s dependence on God and a recognition of His sovereignty.
Expression of Suffering and Desperation
Plea also embodies the human experience of suffering and desperation. Throughout the scriptures, individuals plead in moments of deep anguish, reflecting their emotional and spiritual turmoil. This aspect of pleading serves to illustrate the raw and honest nature of human struggles, inviting readers to empathize with those in distress. It underscores the biblical theme that God is attentive to the cries of the afflicted and that such expressions of pain can lead to healing and restoration.
Call for Justice and Righteousness
Another broader meaning of plea in the biblical context is the call for justice and righteousness. Many biblical figures plead not only for personal relief but also for the sake of justice, advocating for the oppressed and marginalized. This dimension of pleading emphasizes the moral responsibility of believers to stand up for what is right and to intercede on behalf of others. It reflects the biblical principle that God cares deeply about justice and that His followers are called to be agents of change in a world often marked by injustice and inequality.
How to Cultivate a Heart of Intercessory Prayer
Cultivating a heart of intercessory prayer is a beautiful journey that invites us to step into the shoes of others, embracing their struggles and joys as if they were our own. Start by setting aside dedicated time each day to pray, allowing silence to fill the space so you can listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. As you pray for others—friends, family, even those you may not know personally—ask God to break your heart for what breaks His, fostering a deep compassion within you. Keep a prayer journal to track your requests and the ways God answers them, which will not only strengthen your faith but also remind you of the power of prayer. Remember, intercessory prayer is not just about asking for help; it’s about building a relationship with God and others, reflecting His love and grace in every petition. As you grow in this practice, you’ll find that your heart expands, and you become more attuned to the needs around you, transforming your prayer life into a powerful ministry of love and support.
Bible References to the Meaning of Plea:
Psalm 143:1-6: 1 Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!
2 Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.
3 For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.
4 Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled.
5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.
6 I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah
1 Kings 8:28-30: 28 Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you this day,
29 that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place.
30 And listen to the plea of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. And listen in heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.
2 Chronicles 6:19-21: 19 Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you,
20 that your eyes may be open day and night toward this house, the place where you have promised to set your name, that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place.
21 And listen to the pleas of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. And listen from heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.
Nehemiah 1:4-11: 4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,
6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned.
7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses.
8 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples,
9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’
10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand.
11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king.
Daniel 9:3-19: 3 Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.
4 I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,
5 we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules.
6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
7 To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you.
8 To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you.
9 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him.
10 and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.
11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him.
12 He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us, by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem.
13 As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth.
14 Therefore the Lord has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the Lord our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice.
15 And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly.
16 O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us.
17 Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate.
18 O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.
19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”
Jonah 2:1-9: 1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish,
2 saying, “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.
3 For you cast me into the deep,
into the heart of the seas,
and the flood surrounded me;
all your waves and your billows
passed over me.
4 Then I said, ‘I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.’
5 The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head.
6 I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God.
7 When my life was fainting away,
I remembered the Lord,
and my prayer came to you,
into your holy temple.
8 Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.
9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!
Luke 18:1-8: 1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.
3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’
4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man,
5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.
6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says.
7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?
8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Matthew 7:7-11: 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?
11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
James 5:13-18: 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.
18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.