Anyone try praying through the entire night like Jesus did?

Yes, I’ve done it on a few occasions. I got the idea from a prayer network. They employ a round-the-clock style of prayer. Each person is responsible for one hour. The prayer focus is determined beforehand. They storm heaven for a specific period. From one to several days praying without ceasing on one accord.

I do the same and fast while I’m praying. I set an alarm so I don’t miss the period. For serious issues I modify it to hourly prayer during waking hours while fasting. This enables me to extend the time. Three days usually suffices.

~Bella

Two hours? If you managed to pray seriously for that long, it might make the Guiness book of world records!

Really, it's mostly a matter of what you have to pray about, and how important it is to you. Just pray that long, based on normal daily thoughts about praise, worship, and petitions -- half an hour, maybe. Special needs, incredible gratefulness -- maybe could reach that. Any longer, I can't imagine, unless I was part of a like-minded group -- but not continuous prayer in that case, but a time of testimony, study, mixed with prayer -- all night, maybe.

"Pray without ceasing" I Thess 5:17 will include a sufficient group of time but I'm assuming you're referring to praying instead of watching tv, sleeping, etc

Trayalc said:

I came across Luke 6:12 not too long ago, and it stuck out to me. Jesus went and prayed for an entire night?? I was inspired to try this, but, starting at around 11pm, I could only make it to 1am. It is incredibly hard.

Has anyone tried this? I guess we could look at this as a form of fasting (from sleep). If you've done this, what was your experience with it? Any advice on how to prepare for it?

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Well, don't fret over it. Jesus probably fell asleep too. You can pray in your sleep. You may not be consciously aware of it; but it's possible.

I remember fondly the times that I was so moved with gratitude that I couldn't stop praying. It was never for that long though. I think one time it was about 20 minutes downstairs and I went to go upstairs but started praying again for another 5 minutes. Got to my room and said my goodnight prayers after quickly brushing my teeth. Went to go to sleep and sat back up to pray. I think I was praying and praising over a small answered prayer. It might have been to find it in myself to forgive them. It might not, but that reminds me of another time I was so moved to find it difficult to stop praying.

It was during such a traumatic time and it was remarkable how much peace He gave me through it. From the worlds eyes there should have been a lot of suffering, and there was but I barely felt it as the Lord carrying me through it and kept lifting me up and I soared on wings like eagles.

We have a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Praise the Lord!

Jesus praying through the whole night, are we meant to interpret that literally as in non stop prayer. Or did he pray and stop and start again. We don't know exactly what he chose to do, do we. Some churches have prayer nights where people can come and attend prayer stations or kneel at the foot of the cross to pray alone or corporately for a significant period of time during the night. Perhaps its so tiring because its unfamiliar to us and we are in habit of sleeping during the night. Perhaps if you do it more often it will get easier for you. Or perhaps do it with friends and take turns to pray and rest and ponder your topics and pray in different ways such as outloud, silently, through different mediums as chanting like Taize traditions, music and meditation. Perhaps that would be less exhausting yet very interesting to pray through the night like that.

No, but when I try, I end up like this...

Mark 14:37 NCV
[37] Then Jesus went back to his followers and found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn't you stay awake with me for one hour?

The "all-night vigil" as done in some monasteries probably meets this...

Trayalc said:

I came across Luke 6:12 not too long ago, and it stuck out to me. Jesus went and prayed for an entire night?? I was inspired to try this, but, starting at around 11pm, I could only make it to 1am. It is incredibly hard.

Has anyone tried this? I guess we could look at this as a form of fasting (from sleep). If you've done this, what was your experience with it? Any advice on how to prepare for it?

Click to expand...

Jesus was extremely busy during the day meeting peoples needs. So he took time to refresh spiritually. For us it is better that just set aside a decent mount of time in the day, morning, or evening to pray. Missing sleep is not a good habit to get into. That said I have missed sleep on one or two occasions to pray, when I have felt the need. But good on you for trying to do what Jesus did, it is always good to pray.

The Righterzpen said:

Well, don't fret over it. Jesus probably fell asleep too. You can pray in your sleep. You may not be consciously aware of it; but it's possible.

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I've actually prayed in my dreams before, and sometimes (soon after I began to be really religious) I would wake up, realizing that I was on my knees with folded hands.

Unofficial Reverand Alex said:

I've actually prayed in my dreams before, and sometimes (soon after I began to be really religious) I would wake up, realizing that I was on my knees with folded hands.

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That never happened to me personally; but I am well aware that I pray in my sleep.

@Unofficial Reverand Alex

PS - I like your "social issue" subjects. I'm totally with you on the effects of inappropriate content and human trafficking! May God give us courage to do something about this plague on humanity!

Trayalc said:

I came across Luke 6:12 not too long ago, and it stuck out to me. Jesus went and prayed for an entire night?? I was inspired to try this, but, starting at around 11pm, I could only make it to 1am. It is incredibly hard.

Has anyone tried this? I guess we could look at this as a form of fasting (from sleep). If you've done this, what was your experience with it? Any advice on how to prepare for it?

Click to expand...

I haven't done it. I've done prayer where a group prays around the clock for someone. When I was praying I realized I didn't want to check the clock, so I prayed as long as I was lead, which was longer than my time slot.
The Eastern Orthodox Catholics do something I think is similar, but you're not not supposed to do it without guidance. Idk much about it other than having read the book "The Way of the Pilgrim"

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An all-night period of prayer is an admirable endeavor. Personally, I have never tried it but if you want to stay up later, practicing meditation can be very helpful. It builds your stamina for these types of spiritual exercises. All the best!

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Trayalc said:

I came across Luke 6:12 not too long ago, and it stuck out to me. Jesus went and prayed for an entire night?? I was inspired to try this, but, starting at around 11pm, I could only make it to 1am. It is incredibly hard.

Has anyone tried this? I guess we could look at this as a form of fasting (from sleep). If you've done this, what was your experience with it? Any advice on how to prepare for it?

Click to expand...

I've only done this once, the only preparation was a deep desperation for God..

Desperation is likely the only correct term for the emotion which led me to pray like this/for so long.

I assume Jesus fairly well lived in that kind of constant desperation/need of God. As a general rule I think the rest of us are so used to life such that it is, we don't normally feel that desperate need.

I do have to say, God did answer my prayer which I prayed that night. Not immediately at all, but it was answered.

But I don't know there's training for it... it's something soul deep which causes or creates this need. Although, perhaps all of life is a training for it..who knows?

It is, however, very possible to be in deep (constant) prayer without falling asleep or even feeling tired for 8 hours.. I can testify to that.

Hazelelponi said:

I've only done this once, the only preparation was a deep desperation for God..

Desperation is likely the only correct term for the emotion which led me to pray like this/for so long.

I assume Jesus fairly well lived in that kind of constant desperation/need of God. As a general rule I think the rest of us are so used to life such that it is, we don't normally feel that desperate need.

I do have to say, God did answer my prayer which I prayed that night. Not immediately at all, but it was answered.

But I don't know there's training for it... it's something soul deep which causes or creates this need. Although, perhaps all of life is a training for it..who knows?

It is, however, very possible to be in deep (constant) prayer without falling asleep or even feeling tired for 8 hours.. I can testify to that.

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Paul in 1 Thess. 5 says: 'Pray without ceasing'... A constant attitude of dependent prayer is a very good and necessary thing, indeed... (though using vain repetition would not be the way to do it...)

faroukfarouk said:

Paul in 1 Thess. 5 says: 'Pray without ceasing'... A constant attitude of dependent prayer is a very good and necessary thing, indeed... (though using vain repetition would not be the way to do it...)

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Well I was talking on your face, tearfully praying...

but yes, always talking to God, being in petition, thanksgiving or worship is very important throughout every day..