5 Best Times to Pray

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 Best times pray

5 Best Times to Pray

This is something I struggled with: confidence in my prayer life. I absolutely have confidence in God’s ability to answer. No, my struggle was with feeling as though I was making use of prayer the way He intends. Do you ever struggle with that?

Most days, my prayer is an ongoing one. I wake up talking to Him – thankful for the day, thankful for the opportunity to bring glory to Him, asking for help as I begin, praying for the girls as they start their day, for my hubby as he goes off to work, etc. It’s a stream of consciousness. He is right there and I am very aware.

BUT, reading in scripture, there are some examples of those who gave designated time and FOCUS (my word of the year) to their prayer time. I am studying to learn more about prayer, so that my prayers may be more effective (Jam. 5:16). In my study so far, I have found some examples of focused prayer. I’d like to share some that I have grouped into these five best times to pray:

1.) Morning, Noon, and Night

  • Daniel 6 records the incident of Daniel being put into the lion’s den. What put him into the lion’s den was his commitment to prayer “three times a day”. 
  • In Psalm 55:16, David shares that he takes his troubles to God “evening and morning and at noon” and knows God will hear his voice.
  • The writer of Psalm 119 makes reference to getting up at midnight (Ps. 119:62), rising before dawn (Ps. 119:147), and offering praise “seven times a day” (Ps. 119:164).
  • Jesus got up “in the early morning” to pray (Mk. 1:35) and He spent all night in prayer before choosing His twelve apostles (Lk. 6:6-16).
  • Peter and John went to the temple at the “hour of prayer” (Acts 3:1).

A best time to pray is any specific time of the day one gives to prayer – for any reason. 

2.) When  We are Thankful

  • Philippians 4:6 tells us to give thanks in everything “by prayer and supplication” as our way to let “requests be made known to God.”
  • In the example of Daniel, after reading the decree that would condemn him, he went back to his room and “gave thanks” before God (Dan. 6:10).
  • Jesus gave thanks for the food when He fed 4,000 plus people (Mt. 15:36) and when He partook of the bread and the fruit of the vine (Mt. 26:26-27).
  • Paul gave thanks for the food while shipwrecked in the Adriatic sea (Acts 27:35)
  • offering praise by giving thanks to God (Heb. 13:15)

Ephesians 5:20 says, “always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father”.

So we can pray when we are thankful. It is easy to pray our thanks to God when we have it. But we should also work to ALWAYS be thankful for all things – and then express that often in prayer. Reminding ourselves to be thankful for all things all the time, is harder.

3.) When We are Needing Strength

  • Psalm 22:19-21 is part of David’s prayer to God to deliver the support He promises those who love Him.
  • Psalm 28:6-9 is part of another Psalm of David’s, in it he acknowledges that God is his strength and his shield and gives thanks for it.
  • In Psalm 17 David knows God will hear his prayer and in this prayer David recognizes that keeping to God’s ways has provided protection and asks for that protection to continue.
  • Psalm 23 speaks of the loving care and protection that comes from the Lord.
  • In Philippians 4:10-13 Paul expresses how he finds his strength through the Lord and because of it he can suffer anything that comes in the name of the gospel.
  • Paul speaks of God’s comfort when he was depressed (2 Cor. 7:6-7).

4.) When Others Have Needs

  • James 5:16 “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
  • Paul asked for brethren to pray for him and his companions as they spread the gospel for the Lord (1 Thess. 5:25)
  • John prayed that the brethren would prosper in all respects – physical things and good health to the same degree that their souls prospered (3 Jn. 2)
  • Paul often prayed for the spiritual and physical well-fare of the brethren (Eph. 3:14-19; Phil. 2:19-30; 2 Cor. 13:7-9; 2 Thess. 1:11)
  • Pray when others are ill (James 5:14; 2 Sam. 12:16-23). 

5.) When Recognizing God Around You

  • Psalm 8 recognizes God’s majesty based on what David saw in the creation around him.
  • Psalm 9:1-2 “I will give thanks to the Lord will all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”
  • Psalm 106:1 gives thanks for His mercy.
  • Psalm 107:8 gives thanks for His goodness and for His wonderful works.

The conclusion is the best times to pray are ANYTIME and we should be praying ALL of the time.

1 Thessalonians 5:16 says quite simply, “pray without ceasing”. The author of Psalm 119 says, ” seven times a day I praise You, because of Your righteous ordinances” (Ps. 119:164) and then He says in Psalm 119:62 that he rises at midnight to offer thanks. One who belongs to the Lord can approach Him with confidence to pray for needs to be met, ours and others, pray for strength, give thanks for all things, and to offer praise for all the things He has done. Do not hold back. Do not wait for a better time. Just. Pray. Thinking about it too much is thinking too much about self. I need to remember to get out of my own way and just freely PRAY.

Share your struggles and successes with prayer in the comments. I’d love to learn what others do to keep speaking to the Lord as a priority.

Enjoy!

PS – when I was working on being more focused in my prayer time I designed a prayer journal to help me. If you’d like to try it for your own prayer time, you can find it here – A Diligent Woman’s Prayer Journal

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25 Comments

  1. Lovely! I love that you shared Scriptural examples for each of your points here! Thanks for sharing!

    God bless,
    Patty

      1. I want to thank you for the encouragement to pray alway, I was struggling with my prayer life, cause sometimes I feel guilty about not giving enough to God when I wake up because I am rushing out and then on my way I would pray but with guilt.

  2. You point out wonderful examples. Thank you for sharing.

  3. blank Karen COOPER says:

    I am just thanking you for this lovely idea about prayer and praying I do really try to pray all the time but in some situations and circumstances that life throws at one it does get difficult. In lockdown I have missed meeting with my church family . UUNTIL recently they started with telephone conference calls

    Monday we have a chat with our old peoples director and minister Tuesday we have a short reading and something like a Psalm and bible verse Wednesday there is a Quiz which I don’t take part I’m not very good at them Thursday we have Midweek communion service and in the evening a bedtime story and on Friday is crossword. These activities have been a Godsendd and has helped us keep in touch with our friends who come along to church. During this time we can find out who needs prayer and think of people throughout the day which has really helped me it has given me the chance to look forward and time to focus I hope you don’t mind this message being so long I j just wanted to share with you yours Karen

  4. I have always struggled about the right way to pray.
    Growing up, we were taught you have to be in a certain posture and be very serious when praying.
    Coming from Africa, we were even taught more warfare like battle like prayers and I always felt it was not sustainable for me and it gets me more afraid/anxious than making me feel like God has heard and will answer.
    I have always preferred the praying under my breath, praying without following a routine, (praying maybe while bathing, driving etc),being thankful and burst out into singing etc
    However I most times feel these above examples of prayer postures made me complacent and not mindful of the devices of the enemy.
    Hence whenever I desperately need God to intervene in a situation, I revert back to the original method I grew up knowing how to pray.
    I am so anxious and need God to help me with my relationship and with getting a job and I am so frantic with worry over how I should pray so God can answer speedily.
    I was told to pray at midnight and then every 3hours, put away every social media app and just sit with the word and pray myself out.
    I fully intend to do so because I need God desperately and I pray and hope I don’t do something drastic to myself.
    It is a lot.
    I want to know the frequency and the right way and manner because I want to always get answers to my prayer because I am praying according to his will.
    E.g praying for a spouse is praying according to his will because he said I would not want for my mate.
    He also said we should be fruitful and multiply and how can I multiply without a man.

    1. Hello Ogale!

      I understand being torn between methods we’ve been taught versus the ways that seem more genuine to us. I have struggled with that too! I believe that all ways of praying are permitted so long as they are from our heart (not just a repetition we’ve been trained to say and nothing more) and we are asking things that go along with God’s will.

      It is important to remember that God always answers – it just may not be a “yes”. It could be “not now” or “no” as well. Part of our spiritual growth is waiting for those answers to be something we can see clearly. His time is different than ours. That “yes” may be coming, it just may be years from now!

      Hang in there my friend, keep praying – whispered under your breath or as a warrior in a battle for your soul – just keep praying. Show God you know He is the way forward in all that you do.

      Diligently,
      Angela

  5. Thank you for your powerful words

  6. blank Jessica Rivera says:

    thank you!!! i will forward to loved ones

  7. blank Philip Blessing says:

    Thanks a lot am enlightened God bless

  8. blank Colette Emery says:

    I’m so grateful to come across this website. I’m learning and consecrating more and more each day about The Lord. My prayer life has grown tremendously!!! Peace & Blessings!

  9. blank Ada Onuzulike says:

    Now I know that there’s no better time to pray as long as you’re praying anyways. fulfilling the command “pray without ceasing” Interesting!

  10. blank Lily_gamez7777 says:

    Thanks for the perfect times to pray!

  11. blank Rashid Kamal says:

    Word of God’s importance to man. I really appreciate the way you defined. Thanks

  12. blank Moses Boafo Asiedu says:

    Glory,I love this
    Very simple and understandable

  13. Thank you for the encouragement to pray at anytime
    I ve always felt bad about not praying at the right time.
    But How how many time should I pray when fasting ???

    1. Hello Gloria!

      I am so glad you found this encouraging. As to praying and fasting – God says very little about HOW to approach fasting. Since fasting, in scripture, is tied to a time of spiritual focus it may be that praying is almost continual while fasting in this way. The fasting being what occurs because one is focused on praying about something. Esther took three days to fast in preparation for going before the King. She took three days to focus on seeking God’s help and eating for the needs of the body was not allowed to be a distraction.
      That leaves it up to you and the circumstances around fasting. Is this fasting for a short period of time to give focus to a spiritual time of prayer and study? Is this fasting for a longer period of time as a means to gain control over the body’s cravings? How often one prays depends on each person’s circumstances. I cannot find anywhere in scripture that says a specific number of times to pray while fasting. But I do see God telling us to have a prayerful attitude all of the time – always ready to take things to God first (1 Thess. 5:17; Rom. 12:12; Eph. 6:18). So maybe the idea is for fasting to fit within a prayerful life for a specific purpose instead of the other way around? I hope that helps.

  14. I don’t know how old your post is but I’ve prayed for you. I pray God has answered your prayers and you’ve built a relationship with him where your prayer time is suitable for you and God. I pray God provides you with every need and you’re lacking nothing.

    1. Hello Katrina,

      Thank you for praying for me and for letting me know you have done so. That is an encouragement to me!

      Angela

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