How Often Should you Pray?

Paul Yohannan · Nov 22, 2016

jimmyjimmy said:
Paul is Paul and Christ is Christ. They are distinct persons. I don't say, when referring to Paul's writings, "our Lord". Paul is not my lord. That's my point.

He is not mine either, but what he directed is surely dominical in origin.

Galatea · Nov 22, 2016

jimmyjimmy said:
I would certainly agree that we should do everything to the glory of God. But sweeping to the glory of God is something other than praying.

You are slipping the word, "prayer" in there, but it's not in the text, even implicitly.

Verse 17 talks about whatever you do in word or deed, do it in the name of Christ, giving thanks to God.

That is prayer, just thanking God.

So, you can do anything as an act of prayer.

RDKirk · Nov 22, 2016

jimmyjimmy said:
Paul is Paul and Christ is Christ. They are distinct persons. I don't say, when referring to Paul's writings, "our Lord". Paul is not my lord. That's my point.

Jesus didn't write any of the gospels. The apostles themselves might not have actually written any of the gospels. Through a variety of men who cherished, shared, copied, and quoted the "memoirs of the Apostles" (as they called them then)--by inspiration of the Holy Spirit--we have our scriptures.

The only constant is the Holy Spirit, and of Him Jesus said we would get more information than Jesus Himself was able to tell us through His earthly ministry...and that more information is the rest of the New Testament.

Everything we think we know about Jesus in scripture is by the same men who validate the rest of the New Testament. Either you trust them and the Holy Spirit who inspired them for all of it...or for none of it.

rockytopva · Nov 22, 2016

No option for the afternoon prayer... Speaking of which...

Father I pray blessings on our prayer life in Jesus name I pray. Also taking these needs before God in prayer on the 1:15PM bbnradio.org Family Altar program.

brinny · Nov 22, 2016

jimmyjimmy said:
What's the rule of thumb? Is it monthly, weekly, daily, hourly? Also, can one be a Christian and only pray once a year? Can one pray too much?

Great thread, priceless subject, however i didn't vote because, although there are lots of choices, there was a very pivotal one missing.

And that is this one:

"Pray without ceasing." ~I Thessalonians 5:17

Actually the other two verses are an entire treasure book of study all to themselves:

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." ~I Thessalonians 5:16-18

S.O.J.I.A. · Nov 22, 2016

as often as you can.

I'm sure all of our prayer lives could be better than they are.

All4Christ · Nov 22, 2016

jimmyjimmy said:
Your assertions don't convince me. I would need some biblical proof.

Where did Jesus tell His followers to pray unceasingly?

Do you only accept Biblical teachings that are quotes of Jesus in the gospels? You seem to disregard any teaching from the epistles on this matter. Don't you think Jesus taught a bit more than the snippets of conversation quoted in the gospels? They are only a snapshot showing the key points of His ministry. There is a reason the apostles' other writings are also scripture.

jimmyjimmy · Nov 22, 2016

Galatea said:
Verse 17 talks about whatever you do in word or deed, do it in the name of Christ, giving thanks to God.

That is prayer, just thanking God.

So, you can do anything as an act of prayer.

First you "do", then you give thanks. Those are two distinct things. Why would you insist that waxing your car is prayer? Why are you committed to this idea? I don't get it.

jimmyjimmy · Nov 22, 2016

All4Christ said:
Do you only accept Biblical teachings that are quotes of Jesus in the gospels? You seem to disregard any teaching from the epistles on this matter. Don't you think Jesus taught a bit more than the snippets of conversation quoted in the gospels? They are only a snapshot showing the key points of His ministry. There is a reason the apostles' other writings are also scripture.

Someone said, "The Lord told us to pray unceasingly". However, the Lord said no such thing. Paul did. That's it.

I'm old school. Words have meaning, and distinctions make for good students of scripture.

jimmyjimmy · Nov 22, 2016

THE W said:
as often as you can.

I'm sure all of our prayer lives could be better than they are.

Everyone says that, but I would would love to know WHY they say it. Where is the measure? You/I can't say that you/I don't pray enough if you/I don't know what "enough" is.

jimmyjimmy · Nov 22, 2016

brinny said:
Great thread, priceless subject, however i didn't vote because, although there are lots of choices, there was a very pivotal one missing.

And that is this one:

"Pray without ceasing." ~I Thessalonians 5:17

Actually the other two verses are an entire treasure book of study all to themselves:

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." ~I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Would you like to define "without ceasing"? No one has to my satisfaction yet, and many take a very literalistic approach and have not thought about it, it seems.

Galatea · Nov 22, 2016

jimmyjimmy said:
First you "do", then you give thanks. Those are two distinct things. Why would you insist that waxing your car is prayer? Why are you committed to this idea? I don't get it.

It's called multi-tasking. You can pray whilst doing things. While you are waxing your car, you can talk to God and thank Him for letting you have a reliable car to get around, thank Him for the beautiful weather, talk to him about anything, really. The act can be a sweet savor when done unto God.

Why am I committed to this idea? I guess because I believe God is in everything, even the mundane. I like to think about people doing things as unto God. A mother taking care of her children, a man working for his family. These things go up as incense before the throne of God. I like thinking about God being pleased with what people do when they put Him in it.

brinny · Nov 22, 2016

jimmyjimmy said:
Would you like to define "without ceasing"? No one has to my satisfaction yet, and many take a very literalistic approach and have not thought about it, it seems.

Now that is an entire study in itself.

Some of the posts here give hints on what it means.

The bottom line is, that it is akin to "walking with God".

This verse sheds some light on it:

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lordrequire of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" ~Micah 6:8

In order to "walk" with God, we surely must be "talking" to Him, yes?

Let's take it a little further....

Are we to "stop" "walking" with God?

All4Christ · Nov 22, 2016

jimmyjimmy said:
Someone said, "The Lord told us to pray unceasingly". However, the Lord said no such thing. Paul did. That's it.

I'm old school. Words have meaning, and distinctions make for good students of scripture.

Through the inspiration of Holy Scripture, our Lord did tell us that, through Paul. Jesus may not have spoken those words here on Earth (though He may have - we don't know!)

I see the point you are making though.

YouAreAwesome · Nov 22, 2016

jimmyjimmy said:
You pray when you are sleeping? How about when you are speaking to someone?

Well I meant awake time, but the question is: what is prayer? For me it's not always a deliberate communication with God but a communion of spirit I.e being with Him. In Him we live and move and have our being.

Analogy: Hugging my wife is a form of communication.

I am most definitely communicating with God while talking to someone. I listen for His input in the conversation. Not in specific words necessarily, but to find the way to move forward and bless the person. This is called "living in the Spirit". And this, by my definition, is a form of prayer.

Winken · Nov 22, 2016

I didn't vote. The instantaneous flash when I read the options was, "How often?" The Holy Spirit is the One who speaks. I respond.

JacksBratt · Nov 22, 2016

Stabat Mater said:
unceasingly (did I spell that right???), isnt that what our Lord tells us to do?

The same question may be asked as to "when do you talk to your best friend?"

Not, just when your in the mood,
Not, just when you need something,
Not, just before bed,
Not just in morning,
Not,just to bless food,
Not, at set times,
Not, just at church,

But, anytime you want, anytime you need, anytime you feel compelled, anytime....just like you would to a best friend with texting on a cell phone.

Long as you keep doing it....Pray for guidance, pray for thanks, pray for healing, pray for others, pray just to chat about what's on your mind.

S.O.J.I.A. · Nov 22, 2016

jimmyjimmy said:
Everyone says that, but I would would love to know WHY they say it. Where is the measure? You/I can't say that you/I don't pray enough if you/I don't know what "enough" is.

it's not so much about an amount but more about how we respond to life. do we worry, or do we pray? do we live by Philippians 4:4-7 or not?

TaylorSexton · Nov 22, 2016

Celestial Warrior said:
..."robotical" prayers done at scheduled times.

Scheduled prayers are not necessarily robotic. Are Sunday morning church service prayers robotic (i.e., not "real") simply because they occur at the same time each week?

Shane2336 · Nov 23, 2016

jimmyjimmy said:
What does, "without ceasing" mean?

That would mean, in layman's terms, don't stop. It's an ongoing process. A constant activity, if you will. Keep an open line of communication with God.

How Often Should you Pray?

How often should a Christian pray?

Whenever he's in the mood

At a set time each morning

At church on Sunday

Before sleep

After sleep

Only to give thanks for food

Hourly

When one has needs

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