how long do you spend in prayer?

[j_barner2000]

According to Barna.... the average Christian spends only 1 minute a day in prayer... and the average Pastor only spends 5 minutes. Boy, try to maintain a close relationship with anyone, talking to them for only 5 minutes a day.

I will be honest... I had to log the time and worked to not increase or decrease my time spent... I fared better over the last week than average at around a whopping 7.8 minutes a day
my high was 9.5 and my low was a whimpy 4....

I have been shortchanging our Lord and have placed an appointment with Him on my schedule each waking hour for prayer. I truly seek that sweet hour of prayer.

No wonder He has laid upon my heart to teach the subject of prayer to my children's church group.

[ September 17, 2003, 11:18 AM: Message edited by: j_barner2000 ]

 

[Roy1]

If we are to be honest the time spent in prayer would vary from day to day. But how was your time logged?
What about times spent praying for people and situation that have come to mind throughout the day, were they counted.

I have found that this type of prayer in increasing in my daily life.

But we could all pray more, being more fervent and earnest.

 

[j_barner2000]

I tracked myself through intensional prayer... did not include asking blessing on meals or oh Lord help me deal with such and such annoying person/situation. It was going through my prayer list... I may be able to add some minutes if I added mini 1 liner prayers.

But He had laid upon my heart my shortness of meaningful prayer... then I saw that interesting statistic.

I am supposed to preach in a either the 28th or the next week and I believe I know what I am going to preach on...

 

[Jim1999]

How does one measure prayer? I mean actual communicating with God on a personal level. Do we just measure the time we spend on bended knee, with eyes closed and speaking directly with God? Do we cont the time we spend in absolute silence listening to God? Do we count the time we are meditatively reading God's word? I don't mean studying the word for personal benefit or sermon preparation. I mean actualy gleaning what God is saying to us on a devotional level.

Early in my Christian experience, I obtained a small booklet published by InterVarsity Press called The Quiet Time. It led me into a daily devotional time, early in the morning and usually for one hour. For this purpose, I follow Scripture Union notes as a guide to scripture reading.

I often pace the floor of my study reading the word and thinking about the Lord and what He would have me know for that day. I don't often close my eyes, and seldom kneel. The posture of prayer is more important than bodily posture.

Here is an idea from InterVarsity http://www.gospelcom.net/ivpress/bible/qtb.shtml

Cheers,

Jim

 

[j_barner2000]

again Brother Jim brings his considerable wisdom out to humble a brash young man. I never thought my time spent meditating upon His word was prayer... but now that you mention it... it is communicating with God and allowing Him to communicate back..... interesting point.. I may need to use some of this wisdom in the message I am working on.
I think this is why I felt led to share this interesting data. To get some of this kind of wisdom

 

[WallyGator]

I think of prayer as either intentional or spontaneous. In my quiet time the first thing in the morning, Following the ACTS acronym(A-adoration, C-confession, T-thanksgiving and S-supplication)I have intentional communication with Father. This usually lasts for an hour or two. This quickens my spirit to be sensitive to His Holy Spirit's promptings during the rest of the day. I pray spontaneously the rest of the day depending on what the Holy Spirit passes by my spirit. Just short thoughts or actions, don't need to close eyes or kneel, esp when driving. Prayer is not a light manner; we "need to break a few eggs". God is very jealous of His jewels and will pass them out only after we show that we are serious to receive them. Hope this helps. Sorry for being so long-winded.

 

[Roy1]

I agree with bro Jim,

The time place and posture is not as important as the communication it’s self.

Is meaningful prayer only the ones that take a long time with your eyes closed? If so the short sharp arrow prayers that seemed to be common place throughout the scriptures only hit the ceiling. But we know that God hears and answers regardless of length and posture. One of the strangest prayer closets was Jonah in the Fishes belly.

The attitude of praying without ceasing, being in that attitude of prayer throughout the day brings the long term blessings. Praying in the car, walking, waiting, praying whilst witnessing (these silent prayers), praying for those on our lists and those that aren’t but should be. Praying in the Spirit, guided by Him brings us to times of prayer for people and situations deeper that we can muster in ourselves.

Roy.

 

[MissAbbyIFBaptist]

I think there is praying and then there is praying. There's a diffrence.
One type would be what we say all throuougt the day "Lord be with so and so" or "Lord please give me wisdom." or "Lord, thankyou!" Those one-liners, as someone called them.
Then I think the second type is when we really TALK to Him. When we bare our soul. When we confess our sins, cry out for mercy, thank Him and just talk to Him. I don't do this enough, I know, and I'm working on that.
There have been times I've come before the Lord just broken, that I couldn't form words to pray. I can remember times I'd sit on my bed, holding my Bible, tears pouring everywere, saying "Oh GOd, Oh GOD!" And it was during those times I felt His presence so strong! How precious,and how I wish I could more often.
We are so busy we often overlook time with our Lord, but yet He is the most important person in our lives, and sometimes we talk to Him the least. And I'm talking to myself here too!
My dear friend, Jason, was called of God to preach sometime after he was saved back in 01. I've heard almost every message he's preached except the ones he gives in chapel at Bible college. He get's better everytime. But one night I heard him preach on "Sweet Minute of Prayer" and he as some folks say "tore me up." He stepped on every toe I had and then some! He spoke to my heart that night, and I don't guess I've looked at it quite the same anymore.
The last thing I'd ever want to do would be to hurt my Lord, but I wonder how He must feel when I rush through a day and hardly talk to Him?
All I can say is I'm glad for the second and third and so forth chances He gives us. As long as we live we always have the chance to change for God's glory.
And it still amazes me no matter what it is I've failed Him in, He's always willing to forgive!
~Miss Abby
Proverbs 31:30 KJB

 

[USN2Pulpit]

Originally posted by WallyGator:
Following the ACTS acronym(A-adoration, C-confession, T-thanksgiving and S-supplication)I have intentional communication with Father.

WallyGator, have you ever gone through the MasterLife bible study? That's where I learned the same acronym.

 

[mark brandwein]

When I pray, I never put a time limit when I am talking to my Lord Jesus Christ. I pray everyday, throughout the day. Prayer is a beautiful thing.

 

[WallyGator]

Dear USN2aPulpit,
Started Masterlife4 Sunday night. I have really learned alot and recommend Masterlife to all; a good discipleship tool with practical application.
WallyGator

 

[Dr. Bob]

Not long enough. Never long enough.

 

[Jim1999]

The one aspect of prayer I find absent in most conversations about prayer is listening. How much time do we spend just listening? It is something akin to talking in class whilst the professor is teaching. We are so busy listening to ourselves orating that we miss what the Lord is saying to us.

"Be still and know that I am God..." How many times have we opened the word and just listened to what it is saying? Nevermind all the problem texts, and the difficult saying, or the multifaceted texts, but just to listen to what is there. The older I get, the more I appreciate this aspect of prayer. Reading the word in this sense tells me what God is saying, and not the emotion of what I want to hear.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Ephesus23]

When I look at my 'real' prayer sessions (non-one-liners), I usually have about two during the day, with my major one coming when I go to bed at night. It averages (not that I aim for a certain time) about ten minutes or so for each session. A few times I've hit twenty minutes when I really poured my heart out. I wish I could pray like that more often, and I always try to put the extra effort in. Once I get started in a real good prayer session, then I really can get going and have a great time praying. Besides, this sure beats my Catholic days when I prayed the Our Father and Hail Mary in the span of fifty seconds and thought that was prayer!

 

[David Mark]

Good and refreshing posts Y'all.

I woke up this morning and within a minute I had some things (issues) on my mind. Without much thought, but much respect I began to open my mouth. It was incredibly important to me to have immediate access. It was of critical importance that those things come out at that moment and before the Throne of Grace.

Then I examined myself. I had done little preparation. I had not offered general thanks, I was not physically on my knees. To be honest, it just seemed like I did not deserve to come to him like this. I was somewhat ashamed of myself.

Then I began to reconsider. If I had tried to "get right" first, I may not have opened my mouth at all. I've been there before and I hate it when anything prevents me from opening my mouth to him. I know it's a fine line, but If I am going to err, it is going to be on the side of being too honest with him instead of not being honest with him.

I know he is holy. I know that he is Father and that he is in Heaven, I do want his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. I do desire to be protected from evil and not led into temptation. I hope for daily bread and I never forget that it is his Kingdom. These things are constantly on my mind and I find so many times during the day to mention those things to him.

Dave.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Not enough.