The purpose of this thesis is focussed on the explanation of the meaning of Origen’s prayer theology, the valuation of his contributions, and the comparision with Jesus’s understanding of the prayer. Opponents against the prayer argued that there is no need to pray, because God knows what the human wants and needs. In addition, God loved the creation and led them to salvation without prayer. Not only the divine will and providence can not be changed by the human prayer, but also human free will is opposed to God’s providence. In relation to that arguments Origen asserted that human prayer means that God’s providence and human free will work together. The human is cooperating with God through the prayer as an expression of man’s free will.
According to Origen, “euché” has two meanings, namely “vow” and “petition”, but “proseuché” “petition or ask”. However, in the Gospels, Jesus say “proseuché” for the “petition”. Therefore, Origen see, that the criticism raised by opponents are easily refutable, if we understand “euché” to mean “vow”. And in relation of the personal egoism or self-centeredness in the korean church the meaning of “vows” ist more necessary and demanded than the of “petition or ask”. And everywhere in our society there is people, who are still facing problems, as well as food, clothing, and the right to live dignified, and violations of human rights and being happy. if the social, economic, and political conditions are in a relatively relaxed situation, petition praying is more suitable than “vow praying”. Thus, Jesus asked to pray his disciples and people gathered around him in the meaning of “petition”, because they were living in that socio-economic and political isolation and discrimination. Anyway, Origen’s rediscovery of the meaning of “euch” as vow would have been the best counter-weapon against his opponents. In that sense, it is suitable of us to vow in a relatively relaxed situation, but in a desperate situation, to ask or petition.

• 염창선(호서대학교) | Yeum, Chang seon