Intercession vs. Supplication — What's the Difference?

Intercession or intercessory prayer is the act of praying to a deity or to a saint in heaven on behalf of oneself or others. The Apostle Paul's exhortation to Timothy specified that intercession prayers should be made for all people.

Supplication (also known as petitioning) is a form of prayer, wherein one party humbly or earnestly asks another party to provide something, either for the party who is doing the supplicating (e.g., "Please spare my life.") or on behalf of someone else.

The action of intervening on behalf of another

To ask for humbly or earnestly, as by praying.

Entreaty in favor of another, especially a prayer or petition to God in behalf of another.

To make a humble entreaty to; beseech.

Mediation in a dispute.

To make a humble, earnest petition; beg.

The act of intervening or mediating between two parties.

An act of supplicating; a humble request.

A prayer to God on behalf of another person.

A prayer or entreaty to a god.

The act of interceding; mediation; interposition between parties at variance, with a view to reconcilation; prayer, petition, or entreaty in favor of, or (less often) against, another or others.

(historical) In Ancient Rome, a solemn service or day decreed for giving formal thanks to the gods for victory, etc.

A prayer to God on behalf of another person

The process by which a doctorate at Oxford university is officially requested after a thesis has been approved.

The act of intervening (as to mediate a dispute)

The act of supplicating; humble and earnest prayer, as in worship.

A humble petition; an earnest request; an entreaty.

A religious solemnity observed in consequence of some military success, and also, in times of distress and danger, to avert the anger of the gods.

A prayer asking God's help as part of a religious service

A humble request for help from someone in authority

The act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving);