We looked at Who should pray, To whom should we pray, To Whom Should We NOT Pray , For What Should We Pray, Where should we pray, Why should we pray, How should we NOT pray , as part of a series on Prayer.
But I just realized I had not included a post on when we should pray. So… now we will look at WHEN we should pray. All scripture references come from the NIV, unless otherwise stated.
1. When we are in trouble
James 5:13
13Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.
2. When anxious
Philippians 4:6
6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
3. In the morning
Psalm 88:13
But I cry to you for help, O LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before you.
Mark 1:35
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.
4. At night
Luke 6:12
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.
5. Day and Night
1 Thessalonians 3:10
Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
6. Continually
1 Thes 5:17
17pray continually;
7. Daily
Matthew 6:11
11Give us today our daily bread.
8. On all occasions
Ephesians 6:18
18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
9. In all situations
Philippians 4:6
6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Eph 6:18, We pray “in Spirit” here literally. It is since Pentecost, and Christ’s ascension (John 7:39), we have both Christ above (our Parakletos) with the Father, and now within the Church (each of us) the Holy Spirit (our Parakletos within, both the Church Corporate & individual)…1 Cor. 3:16-17, see also Eph. 2:22.
*Again, since the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in the Church Catholic or Body (1 Cor. 12:13), the Holy Spirit dwells within the Church Catholic or universal… ”Now you are Christ’s-Body and Members in part” (1 Cor. 12:27) (“Each in his part”) So when St. Paul writes to the Church in his Letters, or Epistles, he speaks to a Church who is indwelt with and in the Holy Spirit. Thus to, or “Unto the church of God which is at…to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints…etc. “Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor.1:2-3)
Fr. R.
*”Now you are Christ’s-Body and Members in part” (1 Cor. 12:27)
fixed it
Thanks W! And thanks for your biblically based blogs!
Fr. R.
And thank you for your kind words. They are appreciated.