There is a “default mode” that all of us must constantly push aside that tells us that we have to achieve a certain level in order to find acceptance with God. One area that is always a stumbling block is the area of prayer, and especially the length of prayer. We hear of the prayer life of famous people who would spend hours in prayer, or we read of the admonition that we are to “pray without ceasing” or to “always pray and not lose heart” and we begin to question whether our lack of long praying is the reason we do not seem to get answers to prayer. The temptation is to turn prayer into an endurance event, rather than what it is meant to be: drawing close to God in communion as we open our hearts to Him and are open to the leading and ministering of the Holy Spirit.
How long is long enough? Let’s first break down some of the phrases that are taken out of context that might lead us to think we are heard for our long prayers.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV) — 17 pray without ceasing,
This is the text that either forces the reader into a depressed state of feeling like a failure or a determined state to accomplish the impossible. Let’s break it down. First consider the context in which Paul is summarizing his letter with some quick instructions.
1 Thessalonians 5:14–22 (ESV) — 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
Please notice that he is not exhorting to do the impossible; rather a series of reminders to keep ever before them as Peter also exhorted.
2 Peter 1:5–8 (ESV) — 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Back then to the admonition of “pray without ceasing,” lest we get the feeling that we have failed if we are doing something in life other than praying, consider the similar use of the words of Paul (bold and underline are mine for emphasis):
Romans 1:9–10 (ESV) — 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.
1 Thessalonians 1:2–3 (KJV) — 2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
2 Timothy 1:3 (ESV) — 3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.
Is Paul saying that all he did was pray for the believers at Rome? Remember what Timothy had done and pray for him? No, but he is saying that the Romans along with Timothy were ever before him so that he often turned in thought which resulted in prayer with thanksgiving for them.
Another text that is often used in our “default mode” against us is where Jesus tells us to “always pray and not give up or lose heart in Luke 18:1. Again, please notice the context.
Luke 18:1–8 (ESV) — 1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Please notice that the parable that Jesus tells is for the encouragement to not give up in prayer but to keep coming back seeking communion with God, even when you feel there is no answer. Nevertheless, as He points out in the explanation that God, Who is unlike the unjust judge, is one Who cares about you and will do what is right, therefore He will answer in the right way at the right time. Therefore, the question is whether we will be demonstrating our faith in our coming back again and again or whether we’ll just give up as a spoiled child who doesn’t get what he wants, rather than one who draws near in faith to a loving Father, Whom you trust His care for you.
Similar words are found from Jesus in John 15. Please notice the important place of drawing close in fellowship and communion that also includes petitioning and intercession.
John 15:7 (ESV) — 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
There is nowhere you’ll find that length of prayer is counted as an achievement to make you acceptable to God, that will assure that your prayer will be answered. Our acceptance is solely based upon the Lord Jesus Christ as our redeemer and our high priest.
Ephesians 1:6–7 (KJV) — 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
John 14:6 (ESV) — 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Hebrews 4:14–16 (ESV) — 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Seeing then that because of the Lord Jesus Christ you are already accepted and because of His intercession your prayers are accepted, keep in mind that God is looking for you to draw near to Him, fellowship with Him in sweet communion around His word, and as you draw close to Him, the burden of your heart is unloaded, which, by the way, is often the prompt to get you to draw near to God. As you draw near, you will find that His way and thoughts are far above your ways and thoughts, so evidence of your faith is to draw near again and again.
Isaiah 55:8–9 (ESV) — 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Matthew 6:31–33 (ESV) — 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Why would you stay away when He has comfort and grace to give as you draw near? How long is long enough or how often is often enough? As long as your heart is communing with Him and as often as your heart prompts you to return, which by the way if neither is there is evidence that the call there is a desperate need for a calling out to God in prayer for Him to turn you again to Him.
Psalm 80:3 (KJV) — 3 Turn us again, O God, And cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
