ill,” this shows good manners in asking. Although saying “Feed me,” “Treat me,” and similar expressions formulated as requests constitutes a firm request of the person addressed, the former discloses and describes one’s condition with humility and need, implicitly asking through that condition; the latter expresses wholehearted desire and a direct request in the form of a petition.

When this form—the form of requesting and petitioning—is addressed to someone whom the petitioner needs, or is used by someone able to compel the person addressed, or in similar circumstances, it is uttered as a command: either because of the petitioner’s need or because of the benefit it offers the person addressed. But when it comes from one who is needy in every respect and is directed to the One who is self-sufficient in every respect, it is purely a plea, expressed with humility, need, and disclosure of one’s condition.

Describing one’s need and dependence is a request conveyed through one’s condition. It is more eloquent in conveying knowledge and making matters clear, whereas an explicit request is clearer in expressing intent and desire. For this reason, most supplication belongs to the second category: the petitioner conceives of what he seeks and desires, then requests and asks for it. His words signify the request directly and as their primary intent, stating it explicitly, even if they do not describe the condition of either the petitioner or the One petitioned.

If the request also describes the condition of both, it is more complete than either type alone. It includes the statement and knowledge that call for the request and its answer, as well as the intention and petition that constitute the request itself. It thus encompasses the request, that which calls for it, and the answer.