When to pray
As to when to pray, I have my opinion, but I think I’ll start out by letting God’s word speak to us. Maybe that’s really all we need, remembering that prayer is a top priority for the Christian. Many of us make the mistake of putting it second or third. I once read that ‘instead of making prayer fundamental we make it supplemental’. Big mistake! This, to me, is making many of our decisions and then asking God to bless them as an afterthought.
Paul, in his letter to Timothy, sheds light on when and where.
“I desire then that in every place the men should pray” I Tim. 2.8a.
Just a few of these ‘every places’, which is ‘any place’ for the believer.
“And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer” Acts 16.13a.
“In these days he (Jesus) went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God” Luke 6.12.
“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he (Jesus) departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed” Mark 1.35.
And to the Thessalonians, Paul says this.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” I Thess. 5.16,17.
Do you notice the imperatives? Always, without ceasing, in all circumstances. That about covers ‘when’! But there is more.
“Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” Eph. 6.18.
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” Col. 4.2.
Maybe it’s when you’re outnumbered and it’s just you and the Lord. You need a mighty miracle. Elijah never prayed for little things. He was in the midst of all the prophets of Baal. It was a time for Israel to decide who they would worship. For Elijah, it was time to pray and watch God!
‘And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back”’ I Kings 18.36,37.
And at that moment fire fell from heaven and burned up the offering and the people fell on their faces and worshiped. You never know when you pray alone, or in the presence of others, what God might do.
Many years ago, I was trying to figure out how to live one day at a time and live victoriously. God led me to my life verse, actually verses, that have been the hallmark in my life. Among other things, these verses speak of ‘when’.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” Mt. 6.33,34.
As I said earlier, the late E. M Bounds has been my prayer mentor.
“I feel it is far better to begin with God, to see His face first, to get my soul near him before it is near another. In general, it is best to have at least one hour alone with God before engaging in anything else.”
“If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, he will be in the last place the remainder of the day.”
God’s word is truth. Believe it and act on it. I pray that we will.