Prayer - ἐντυγχάνω - Hitting the Mark

ἐντυγχάνω – entygchanō

In 1307, Herman Gessler, a newly appointed Austrian Vogt raised a pole in the village square of Burglen and demanded that all the local townspeople bow before it. A man named William Tell passed by without bowing and was arrested. William Tell had a reputation as an expert marksman with the crossbow, so he was challenged to shoot an apple off the head of his son, Walter. William Tell accepted the challenge, loaded his crossbow, and with one shot, hit the mark and split the apple which had been placed on the head of his son. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpGZM3Kf1yw)

The pray of entygchanō is the prayer of “hitting the mark.” Paul would say, “I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.” (1 Cor 9:26). Our prayers should be specific, well aimed, so we can hit the mark.
This pattern of prayer begins with God. That is the best place to learn about prayer. We see the pattern of ἐντυγχάνω prayer in Jesus Christ who is our High Priest.

“Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” Hebrews 7:23-25
The Priest is an intercessor for common people. In the Old Testament the Priest offers sacrifices for Dedication, Fellowship, and Sin offerings to help man build a relationship with God. If we come to a Priest and ask what kind of offering they will advise, the best they can do for us is only surface deep, and that does not always do what is necessary.

Christ, however is our faithful High Priest who knows us even as we are known. It was Christ who created us (Col 1:16), and who knows our frame and personality (Ps 139:13). Christ knows our ways (John 4:17-18) and our thoughts. As Christ intercedes for us, He prays exactly for those things we need. He knows the problems we face, the solutions we need, the gifts we are given and the ministry to which we are supposed to be involved. He knows every weakness and how it needs healing. He forgives our sins and can restore us. Christ is the perfect High Priest.
“Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” Ro 8:34-35

The Holy Spirit, likewise prays for us. “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.” (Ro 8:26-27) The Gospel of John tells us the Spirit is our Comforter (John 15:26); Teacher (John 14:26); Protector (John 14:16-18); and Convictor (John 16:8-10).

This is the pattern of “hitting the mark” as we pray. It is knowing people and solutions; it is seeking God to really know people and situations as well as the will of God. Elijah “appealed to God against Israel: ‘Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me’ ? And what was God's answer to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal." So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. (Ro 11:2-6)

Entygchanō Prayer begins with concern for people, and knowing them and their needs. This prayer includes seeking the face of God so we will know all situations; and concludes with praying specifically for people so we know when the prayer is answered and the target is obtained.