The Best Time to Pray
“There’s just not enough time to pray,” I conceded, slumped over a schedule-squeezed soul.
Sighing in resignation, I stuffed a prayer list in my purse and put prayer on hold for a “less demanding time.”
Before I could blink, lunchtime was here. Digging in the dark abyss of a handbag that resembled the junk drawer at home, my hand found the crumpled list of requests. I bowed my head.
‘Wait, what time is it? Do I have enough time to pray through all this right now?’ my anxious mind wondered.
I sank in my seat, overwhelmed with a desire to pray yet consumed by a calendar I said ‘yes’ to. There isn’t a good time to give my heart over to prayer, I resolved. If it’s not interruptions and pleas for attention, it’s my own worried thoughts about time tapping at the gates of every prayer.
When schedules run our days, and the desire to do it all has us gasping for breath to keep up, slowing down to pray seems impossible. Prayer might look like another bullet item on the list, but it’s actually the perfect place to release what’s weighing us down and refresh our perspective for the rest of the day.
Prayer is a space to let go of the lists and lay down the question marks and exclamation points. Prayer is an experience that leaves us with peace – light, free, and encouraged.
If prayer leaves our life better, why don’t we let go more often?
Finding the best time to pray can hold us hostage from ever praying at all. We might feel paralyzed by the idea of what a perfect prayer looks like or put off praying for a “better” time. These excuses might prevent us from speaking to God at all. Here are five great moments to pray during your day:
The best time to pray is often.
‘Never stop praying.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT
Use the free time waiting for an appointment to pray. While driving to work, fill the quiet space with your requests by speaking your prayers out loud. When worries keep you awake at night, pray the Word of God over every concern robbing your rest. Share the space to pray throughout the day with your children so that they learn that the best time to go to God is often.
A perfect time for prayer is a scheduled time for prayer.
‘In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.’ Psalm 5:3 NIV
‘Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.’ Mark 1:35 NIV
We make time for the important things in life. We have time for the scheduled things in life. If we want to find time to pray, we should schedule the time to pray. In scripture, we see this is something both David and Jesus did. Waking up before the world rises helps us avoid interruptions. Maybe that scheduled time for you is on a walk or bike ride. Exercise your mind while you exercise your body.
Another great time to pray is when you need someone to listen.
‘For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.’ 1 Peter 3:12 NIV
‘This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.’ 1 John 5:14 NIV
‘Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.’ 1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV
Run to the throne before you run to the phone. The Lord wants your first and your best. He wants your undivided attention. He wants you to love Him most and trust Him more. Use every opportunity to seek God before you seek anyone else.
A powerful time to pray is with someone.
‘“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”’ Matthew 18:19-20 NIV
Prayer cultivates our relationship with our Heavenly Father and with each other. Praying together unifies us as a body of believers around God’s will. When we bring our needs, struggles, and praises to the table, praying with someone can encourage our faith and have us believing for even more.
An opportune time to pray is when you’re tired, anxious, tempted, or thankful.
‘Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’ Matthew 11:28 NLT
‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.’ Philippians 4:6 NIV
‘What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me? I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord.’ Psalm 116:12,17 NIV
When we need relief from stress, when we feel tempted, when we want to say, ‘thank you, Lord,’ these are opportune times to pray.
When you want to give up, pray. When you want to deepen your relationship with the Lord, pray. When you’re confused or lost, pray.
Sometimes a worship song sums up our requests better than our words. Let their words be your words. When our words are few, the Bible reminds us that Jesus is interceding on our behalf, so rest in the assurance that even your quiet requests reach God.
In the stillness of God’s presence, praying helps refresh your heart with God’s peace so that you can press on through your day and pour out His best in you. His grace and Holy Spirit come to those who pray continually, so pray often.
