When to Pray

35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. [Mark 1:35 ESV]

Jesus has given us the example to pray in the early portion of the day. This is when the day is at its quietest and your mind is most fresh. When you begin the day with God then you are empowered to overcome life’s temptations and can better handle the trials in life thrown your way. Another example Jesus gave us of when to pray is spending the night in prayer (see Luke 6:12). Today this practice is being neglected altogether. However, this does not give you a reason to not spend all night in prayer. You do not do this to gain favor with God; you do it to meet God. God may come to you before the night is over or He may keep you until morning. The point is not to pray all night but to pray in earnestness and sincerity. Find a spot where you can be alone with the Father (see Matthew 6:6). You may change this spot from day to day as long as it is a quiet spot. For it is then when you will truly experience fellowship and reward by being in the presence of the Master. When should you pray? In the morning and in the evening. When in trouble and when at peace. Pray for the little things as well as the big things in life. We should remember to pray at all times for each request no matter how small or how big. At times, you can get too busy with life and do not take time to pray. This is very unwise, for to pray is power. It is during the period of being so busy that you must pray even greater.

For Thought:

1.     Are there times when you are so busy with life that conversation with God is placed far back in your mind and at the end of the day you are too tired to pray?

2.     Are you teaching your children when to pray?

As you pray today, seek God in the quiet of your heart. Listen to the Father speak to you as you put everything else out of your mind. Only let God enter and thank Him for loving you and teaching you how to serve the Father as you serve others.

Martin Luther: “I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer.”

John Wesley: “God does nothing but in answer to prayer”.