Prayer - ἐπικαλέω – Calling Upon God

ἐπικαλέω – epikaleō
Literally this word means to “call upon.” On the human side, it means the name I “call upon” for you. Various people in the Bible were called upon by surnames: Lebbaeus was surnamed Thaddaeus (A man of heart – surnamed the one who confesses; Mt 10:13); Judas – Iscariot (From the town of Kerioth; Lk 22:3); Joses – Barnabas (Son of Encouragement; Ac 4:36); Simon – Peter (the Rock; Acts 10:5). The name is important.

Names are important. For if you are going to call upon a name to help you, it must be a good name. Paul called upon the name of Caesar (Ac 25:11-12, 21, 25; 26:32; 28:19) when he was falsely accused. Paul knew that a lower officer of Rome could do nothing, so he appealed to the highest name in the kingdom.

This sets the stage for epikaleo prayer, a prayer for unbelievers, and those who believe.

Why do we need to “call upon” the Lord? It is first of all because we need Salvation. “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Ro 1:12-15)
“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” (Acts 22:16)

As believers we are identified as those who call the name as our strength (Acts 9:21; 15:15; 1 Cor 1:2; Heb 11:16).

We need help when life presses in upon us: “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Tim 2:22. We need the name when facing death (Acts 7:59). We need God to come alongside us and be our witness when under attack (2 Cor 1:23).

“Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (1 Peter 1:17-19)

As we pray this prayer, we recognize the name of God, we recognize the Greatness of God, and we call upon Him.