The bible says to "Pray without ceasing". That is a mighty long prayer!
How do I do that???! Surely we can't pray 24/7? I just want to know how long my prayer should be.
We'll come back to "praying without ceasing" in a moment. First let's say we come to God in prayer over something. How long does my prayer need to be? Basically, it's however long you feel you need to pray for. That sounds a bit vague but it really is true. There's no set length for prayers. God's attention isn't caught when we say long, elaborate prayers that last an hour.
My early Christian experiences of prayer were a bit freaky. I've really had to un-learn a lot of things. Prayers were long, very very long. Prayer time was hours. Words were long and repetitive, and to be honest, it was all boring. Prayers were really not prayers. They were more of a contest to see who could be the most eloquent and quote the most scripture. And whilst there's nothing wrong with being eloquent and quoting scripture, if it's all for the purpose of impressing other people, then it's not really prayer. You know, sometimes, I just say to my husband, "It's been one of those days. The children were horrors and I was an even bigger horror. Rarrrrrrrrrr". When I "rarrrrrrr" that's the end of the talking. He'll give me a cuddle and there'll be quiet time. It's not long, it's not eloquent, but it's enough. Same with prayers. Your prayer may be two words or 2000 words - but even just your groan will reach up to His throne.
Saying that, there may be times when you're praying for something, but you don't feel you can let it go yet. There's more praying to do. Your prayer time may be longer over certain situations. Praying to be released from a habit or addiction, for example, may take more time than your morning prayers when you simply thank God for the day ahead, and give your cares about the coming day to Him.
But there really is no set limit or time period. James says that the earnest, heartfelt prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available, dynamic in its working. There is no mention of "5 hour prayer time makes power available" or "One hour long prayers 3 times a day cause prayers to be answered." Jesus is our example. When He gave us an example of how to pray (the Lord's prayer), it's not a long prayer. It's to the point and it's concise. Yet there are times when He goes away by Himself and spends longer periods of time in prayer. Let the Holy Spirit lead you. If you feel the need to spend longer in prayer over something, then do so.
Coming back to the "Praying without ceasing". Let's get the verse, and see what it says. It's from 1 Thessalonians 5, v 16-18. "Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
If we define prayer as communication with God, then this verse is really telling us how to live our everyday lives to the glory of Jesus.
- Rejoicing always - don't get negative or complain, but live with the joy of the Lord.
- Pray without ceasing - keep an open line of communication with God. Talk to Him as often as you feel you need to, or can do. Not in a super-spiritual, away-with-the-fairies way, but by cultivating your relationship with Him, speak to Him throughout your day.
- Give Him thanks for everything - no matter what your situation, give thanks. If it's good, give Him the glory. If times are tough, thank Him that He is with you, and that in Jesus you are an overcomer; you are more than a conqueror and that He is your Strong Tower.
Notice it is all about what comes out of our mouths. By cultivating a relationship with someone, you have to talk to them. If I only speak to my husband once a week, our relationship will break down. An intimate, loving relationship needs communication and God desires a close, loving intimate relationship with us. Sometimes I have a moan to my husband and tell him all the stuff that's bothering me; sometimes I talk to him about what funny things have happened in my day; sometimes we have times where we tell each other how much we love each other; other times we sort through an issue; sometimes it's planning for the future. Sometimes they're long conversations, sometimes they're short. It's no different with God. He wants all those conversations with you. Start today and see your life transformed.
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