petition vs call for

petition is a noun but call for is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
petition	Yes	No	Yes	No
call for	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, call for is a hypernym of petition; that is, call for is a word with a broader meaning than petition:

petition: write a petition for something to somebody; request formally and in writing
call for: express the need or desire for

Other hypernyms of petition include ask for, bespeak, quest, request.

petition (noun)	call for (noun)
a formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority
reverent petition to a deity

petition (verb)	call for (verb)
write a petition for something to somebody; request formally and in writing	request the participation or presence of
	express the need or desire for
	gather or collect
	require as useful, just, or proper