February 5
“Pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting,” 1 Timothy 2:8. “Pray without ceasing,” 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
In our fifth devotion dealing with prayer, we direct our attention to two questions: Where and when should we pray?
In his First Epistle to the Thessalonians, the apostle Paul says that we should pray everywhere. We are not obligated to pray only in certain places. Where we should pray can be summarized in a few words: Pray in private and in public. When we think of praying in private, we immediately think of Jesus. He frequently prayed in private in the Garden of Gethsemane. Often, He went up on a high mountain to pray. On occasion, He spent the whole night in prayer! Once, His disciples observed Him praying privately, and one of them came to Him with a special request: “Lord, teach us to pray,” Luke 11:1. In response to that special request, He repeated for His disciples and us what we commonly call The Lord’s Prayer.
Jesus spoke on the subject of private prayer in the Sermon on the Mount: “When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words,” Matthew 6:6-7. Jesus tells you to go to your room! This is not a disciplinary measure; rather, He does not want you to be distracted while you pray. He also says that we should not use empty, useless repeating when we pray. We should not say the same words over and over again, as is done in saying the rosary. God is not impressed with our many words.
Daniel also gives us a good example for private prayer. He was a very busy man; however, three times a day he opened the window of his room and knelt down and prayed. Remembering to pray regularly, such as in the morning and evening and at the table, is very appropriate for us.
The psalmist wrote, “In the congregations I will bless the Lord,” Psalm 26:12. Praying with fellow Christians and praying for and with one another in public worship services is also an important part of our worship.
When the apostle says that we should pray without ceasing, he is not suggesting that we engage in endless speaking when we should be doing something else. Rather, we should always have a prayerful spirit. We do not have to have prayers that are only written in a book. When Jesus invited Peter to get out of the boat and walk on the water, Peter became filled with fear and began to sink. He did not ask for a prayer book. From the heart, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” and his prayer was heard and answered.
As members of God’s family through faith in Jesus as God’s Son and our Savior who redeemed us, we will pray regularly and frequently to the triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
With the Lord begin thy task, Jesus will direct it;
For His aid and counsel ask, Jesus will perfect it.
Ev’ry morn with Jesus rise, And when day is ended,
In His name then close thine eyes; Be to Him commended. Amen.