This is my second installment of four on this study of earnest prayer—which are excerpts from my book Principles of Prayer. 

Eklenesteron.  This word has basically the same meaning as ektenos, except with this word the intensity of earnestness is greater.  The word appears in the New Testament only in Luke 22:44, where it describes the way Jesus prayed just before His trial and crucifixion:  “And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly.  Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” 

Here it seems that the reason why He prayed so earnestly was because He was so grieved and distressed over the thought of His crucifixion—where he would suffer and pay a horrible penalty for the sin of the whole world.  But take note that His prayers were not weak as to feel sorry for Himself.  No, His prayers were strong.  As…