How Often Should you Pray?

[masmpg]

Jesus instructed this:

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.​

That seems a bit different than what you have asserted above. Is not the "Great Commission" Christ's instruction to the church as far as spreading the gospel goes?

Who is suppose to do this?
Matthew:24:14: "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." The only way this will happen is through prayer, because our preaching is useless without the Holy Spirit.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

Who is suppose to do this?
Matthew:24:14: "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." The only way this will happen is through prayer, because our preaching is useless without the Holy Spirit.

It's both, and.

God is sovereign in His election, and man is responsible in his action.

We do the work God has given us to do just as a farmer plants seeds in the ground. He does not fold his hands and wish for God to plant the seeds. He wakes up before the sun rises and works. He prays for the outcome, for there is not harvest without the rain from above. . .

 

[brinny]

We all understand that words have various meanings, depending on the context; however, we also understand the 2-3 possibilities. We don't say that swiping the floor = praying. That has no basis in scripture, nor reality. Unless one is a relativist, that is, which is highly likely today.

Relativism is in the air we breathe, and it is certainly present in a few posts on this thread. The idea that the reader defines the meaning of a word/text, rather than the author defining the meaning, is the basis for postmodern/relativistic "thought". It's dead wrong, IMO, but many people have taken it onboard through culture mediums. I would argue that many don't even realize that they have.

If we insist that words have such broad definitions, then we call God Himself a poor communicator.

Not following you.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

The lack of solid answers in this thread has proven my hunch, and disappointed me a bit. I'm not surprised, just disappointed.

 

[Sheep4Christ]

How often should you pray? Good question. Myself I like to pray often. Honestly I believe that it depends on the individual doing the praying and the specifics of what they're asking for in prayer.I mean some people pray everyday while others only pray when they're in need of something.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

How often should you pray? Good question. Myself I like to pray often. Honestly I believe that it depends on the individual doing the praying and the specifics of what they're asking for in prayer.I mean some people pray everyday while others only pray when they're in need of something.

So, you are saying that frequency of prayer is up to the individual, right?

 

[Paul Yohannan]

The lack of solid answers in this thread has proven my hunch, and disappointed me a bit. I'm not surprised, just disappointed.

Note that if you added "continually" as an option I would be able to vote in your poll.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

Note that if you added "continually" as an option I would be able to vote in your poll.

Thank you, but I've already heard from the "continual" crowd and found their answers wanting.

In order to accommodate their idea that they pray continually, as in every waking moment, they have twisted both the definition of "prayer" and "continually".

 

[Paul Yohannan]

Thank you, but I've already heard from the "continual" crowd and found their answers wanting.

In order to accommodate their idea that they pray continually, as in every waking moment, they have twisted both the definition of "prayer" and "continually".

I do not believe you have heard from anyone who actually has achieved a continual peayer state. I doubt there is a hesychast on CF.com. But I believe it represents the ideal we should aspire to and is thus the only honest answer I can provide to the question. Your poll should include "continually" and also "other/please specify" since your poll asks should rather than do.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

I do not believe you have heard from anyone who actually has achieved a continual peayer state. I doubt there is a hesychast on CF.com. But I believe it represents the ideal we should aspire to and is thus the only honest answer I can provide to the question. Your poll should include "continually" and also "other/please specify" since your poll asks should rather than do.

Can you provide a biblical example of someone who prayed continually, or a command, other than a hyperbolic one, which instructs us to do so?

If we should be in prayer every waking hour, then you join the ranks of those who must alter the meaning of the word to a point which it then has no meaning.

 

[Sheep4Christ]

So, you are saying that frequency of prayer is up to the individual, right?

That would be a yes from me.

 

[Sheep4Christ]

Even if scripture commands it continually... We may still skip a day or two.

 

[Sheep4Christ]

If we can be honest about it we can admit that sometimes we don't always pray like we should.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

If we can be honest about it we can admit that sometimes we don't always pray like we should.

I agree, but it's the "like we should" part which is in question here.

 

[Sheep4Christ]

I agree, but it's the "like we should" part which is in question here.

"

 

[Sheep4Christ]

"

What I mean is that often Christians don't pray like for instance 3 times a day 7 days a week.They might choose to pray once a week.I could explain more but I'm at work.

 

[masmpg]

Daniel was a good example of praying without ceasing. It is impossible for anyone to be in the attitude of meditation continually because we are commanded to work and feed our families. The attitude of prayer that Paul was referring to has much to do with the other verse I quoted in my other post on here. We are also admonished to "only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel." These are not really just suggestions. Another great principle Paul mentions is found in Philippians:4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." This principle goes right along with the very important issue of our state of mind as Christians. We are to pray without ceasing and we can even while we work to earn our wages. We are to only let our conversation be as it becometh the gospel, and we do this by keeping our mind in the attitude of prayer. It is a physical law that by beholding we become changed into the image which we are beholding. As we behold Jesus we will become like Him.

 

[bangmegafan]

I think it would be good habit to pray atleast twice in the day I.e. morning and evening depending on your convenience though there is no thumb rule

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[masmpg]

I think it would be good habit to pray atleast twice in the day I.e. morning and evening depending on your convenience though there is no thumb rule

I agree! The more we commune with God the closer we will be to Him. Twice per day is a great discipline to train yourself to do.

As I was beginning to write above that Daniel is the greatest example of a prayer life, next to Jesus who prayed until He sweat blood. Daniel prayed three times per day faithfully. He never tried to hide his prayers, but I really do not believe he was openly praying like Jesus accused the pharisees of doing. God worked mighty works and miracles through Daniel. This should be an example to us who wonder why our prayers are not answered. When the king made a decree that all the wise men should be put to death Daniel commanded his three friends to pray earnestly that the Lord would reveal the kings dream, and God heard Daniels prayers and answered them immediately. Jesus showed the same principle. The more we pray the closer we get to God and the sooner He will answer our prayers. BUT for the big stuff it took fasting. All through the bible when we are told about an angel appearing to someone it was quite often preceded by fasting. Moses fasted 40 days before God came to him. Daniel fasted 21 days before Gabriel came to him to explain the visions of the 2300 days prophecy. Jesus fasted 40 days with no food NOR water before He was tempted beyond any temptation any human would be called to endure, and He overcame all satan's attacks. This gives me such great hope that God will hear and answer our prayers when we do spend time with Him. He will give us victory over all sin in our lives when we look to Jesus when we are tempted.

 

[Paul Yohannan]

Can you provide a biblical example of someone who prayed continually, or a command, other than a hyperbolic one, which instructs us to do so?

If we should be in prayer every waking hour, then you join the ranks of those who must alter the meaning of the word to a point which it then has no meaning.

What makes you think the direction is hyperbolic? Also, how do you define prayer?

The Jesus Prayer can be said continually and it is the objective of many Orthodox monastics to do precisely that. And some succeed.