We all feel that we should spend longer in prayer. But sometimes our thoughts about doing things perfectly in the future stop us from doing things in the present (imperfectly but at least doing them).
Maybe you shouldn’t begin by trying to pray for an hour every day between 4-5 AM.
Maybe you can start by trying to pray two dozen quick prayers throughout the day every day.
Nehemiah sets an example here —
[2] And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid. [3] I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” [4] Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. [5] And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves, that I may rebuild it.” (Nehemiah 2:2-5)
Probably the pause between verses 4 and 5 was not long enough for the King to notice. But it was long enough for God to notice. Nehemiah prayed a quick prayer.
Quick prayers are one of the ways we can make practical, doable, daily sense out of Scriptures like these —
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Romans 1:9-10 Without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers.
Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
1 Corinthians 1:4 I give thanks to my God always for you.
Ephesians 1:16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
1 Thessalonians 1:2 Constantly mentioning you in our prayers.
2 Thessalonians 1:11 We always pray for you.
What might our quick prayers be in these circumstances?
- When you are tempted to do something bad.
- When you are planning to do something good.
- Hear or see something sinful that offends or bothers you.
- You are facing something heavy and hard.
- At a time of great joy and happiness.
- When someone wrongs you or wounds you.
- When you see something beautiful
Work on those quick prayers. They are bigger than you know.