Lesson 6: Recognizing the Setting for Prayer
1. Introduction
As we look deeper into what gives our prayer life relevance and results in a passion for prayer, we must examine the setting for praying. By setting, I mean the conditions around which we pray. This could be location, time, etc. Sometimes we treat prayer like it’s a fast food restaurant – we know what we want and we want to get in and out as quick as we can – and be fully satisfied. Instead, we should consider prayer as a fine dining place, where we have an opportunity for a memorable experience with a meal that goes beyond our expectations. With this in mind, we will explore some of the conditional settings for prayer by examining the following:
- Unlimited Access
- Triple “A” Rating
- Three Course Menu
- Savoring the Favor
2. Unlimited Access
It first must be recognized that there is unlimited access to prayer. With this in mind, we can see that there must be unlimited possibilities for the settings for prayer. Keeping in mind 1 Thessalonians 5:17, where we are instructed to “pray without ceasing”, we can only imagine the many settings we might encounter in a continuous attitude of prayer.
Jesus Himself spoke the words of promise that whatever is asked by faith and in accordance with God’s will would be given, which seems to open up great possibilities for the settings for prayer.
22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
So, with such unlimited access to God through prayer, it seems that the setting for prayer is of little concern. But there is some importance for the believer in understanding that the setting for our prayers (location, time, and situation) may help or hinder our prayer life.
3. Triple “A” Rating
God gives prayer a triple “A” rating for communicating with Him – Prayer can occur:
- Any time
- Any place
- About Any thing
This again seems to make the idea of a setting for prayer insignificant. But there’s really more to it than that.
Any Time
Certainly, one can pray any time. In fact, if we practice 1Thessalonians 5:17, we can pray all the time. There are some times when prayer is critical. There are other times when prayer is an absolute necessity. Although we seldom would admit it, there are some times when prayer is convenient and there are other times when prayer is inconvenient.
We tend to allocate our prayers to certain occasions, thereby establishing conformity and restraint to our prayer life by limiting the setting. We pray before meals, to start a Bible study or church activity, and before we fall asleep (unless we are too tired to pray). This results in a prayer life that becomes routine and stale. We “go through the motions” rather than genuinely “going before the throne of grace.”
Having the privilege to pray anytime opens the opportunity to take advantage of the vast multitude of settings offered to bring our prayers to God. Praying any time could mean praising His name in the midst of a busy street or getting into a corner seat at Starbucks and spending several minutes talking to God before ever taking a sip of that latte.
It might be that before dashing off for work or school in the morning, you set aside some time to spend asking God for guidance, opportunities, and His hand of protection for the day. Or, maybe during that busy day, in the midst of your activities, “praying any time” means taking just a moment to talk to God about what you’ve experienced that day and seek His will for the rest of the day.
There are all kinds of examples of how we can pray any time. So choose the setting and just do it. Kick the routine and open up new possibilities for prayer and intimate time with God. Contrary to what some might think, there’s never a bad time to pray!
Any Place
Much of what was said about praying any time applies to praying any place. For me, my car is a great place to pray. During my commute, I often commune with God about the previous day’s activities and then seek His will for the coming day. There are other great places, such as on a swing at a park, sitting in the back yard, or preparing a snack in the kitchen (I do a great deal of that!). The places to pray are as varied as the times for prayer.
Although there’s never a bad time to pray, there are some places where prayer is not as effective as it could be elsewhere. Primarily, those are places where there are distractions to prayer and temptations to not pray. It’s tough to pray in the movie theater when there’s an ungodly film on the screen. Likewise it’s tough to pray at a concert where the songs being played glorify the flesh. If we are to pray without ceasing, why would we put ourselves in places where talking with our God is made so difficult? Even so, in such places, we can pray for God’s mercy and His strength to have the courage to leave the situation. And as He promised, He will answer that one!
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Any Thing
I’ve already mentioned that we have unlimited access to God through prayer. That’s unlimited access to God about anything that we want to talk to God about. Maybe it’s a burden or a bad situation – bring it to God in prayer. Maybe you’re just feeling happy – why not let God know and give Him the glory for a great day! Whatever is on your mind, let God know.
If we realize that we can talk to God about anything and if we truly have a ceaseless attitude of prayer, our thought life will be a little different, since we might be talking to God at any time, and at any place, about all of those things!
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
4. Three-Course Menu
When it comes to describing the setting for prayer, I consider three possibilities:
- Spontaneous prayer
- Scheduled prayer
- Studious prayer
Spontaneous Prayer
Spontaneous prayer is the result of a ceaseless attitude of prayer. It might be that a thought comes to mind and it stimulates a quick prayer for a special need or a friend. Maybe a certain experience is cause for a brief prayer of rejoicing in what the Lord has done. Whatever the case, prayer occurs spontaneously, without being planned.
One type of spontaneous prayer is thanksgiving. This is something that I am working hard at in my prayer life – sharing my thanks with God for the little things in life. I realize that if I have an attitude of thanksgiving prayer throughout my day, I will have far less to complain about. When I think about how God has blessed me, I have a desire to let him know.
Psalm 116:17 (KJV) Colossians 4:2 (KJV)
17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Scheduled Prayer
While spontaneous prayer is a great way to share thanksgiving or immediate needs with God, I have found that it is necessary for me to make time for serious personal prayer. That means setting a scheduled time to spend in prayer with God. While this may seem to be a contradiction to my earlier thoughts on routine prayer, I believe this is more of a routine “time” than a routine prayer. Having a scheduled time adds discipline to my prayer life and helps provide a path to passionate prayer.
While having a scheduled prayer time might initially seem to be a challenge, it most assuredly will grow to be a time that you look forward to, when sweet fellowship with God occurs and His will can be found. This emotion was so adeptly captured in the old hymn by William Walford, “Sweet Hour of Prayer”:
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care, And bids me at my Father’s throne Make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief, And oft escaped the tempter’s snare, By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! The joys I feel, the bliss I share, Of those whose anxious spirits burn With strong desires for thy return! With such I hasten to the place Where God my Savior shows His face, And gladly take my station there, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
The concept of scheduled prayer is reinforced biblically, in the Book of Daniel and in Psalms:
Daniel 6:10 (KJV) Psalm 55:17 (KJV)
10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
We also can look to the model of Jesus as He set aside time for prayer during His earthly ministry. Having scheduled prayer is an important step in the development of a passion for prayer and results in a greater passion for all things of God.
Studious Prayer
When the word “study” is mentioned, we often think of the work required to learn what’s necessary to pass a test or quiz in school. It usually brings groans from students because of the effort required. That same concept applies to our study of God’s Word and the answers it provides to the challenges that life brings. And, just as we might spend time reviewing what we study with a friend in preparation for the test, we can review our study of God’s Word with the best friend of all through prayer.
Studious prayer can be combined with scheduled prayer such that immediately following daily Bible reading, you can pray and ask God to help you understand what you read and how it can apply to your life. I’m a firm believer in the application of every bit of the Word of God to my life. Many times it’s not so obvious how the Word applies, so I ask God to help me understand. Through the Holy Spirit, God provides guidance to understanding.
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
If you are having a difficult time studying God’s Word and getting something out of it, maybe you should pray while studying and talk to God about what you studied. Ask God to help you understand, to show you His Word’s meaning for your life, and to reveal what He wants you to do with what you read. You will be surprised at what you really learn!
5. Summary: Savoring the Favor of Prayer’s Settings
Having the setting for prayer aligned for your prayer life will bring favorable results that can only be attributed to communion with God through prayer:
- Fellowship with God – as your prayer settings expand you will find more and more ways to fellowship with God.
- Peace from God – as you realize answered prayer regardless of the setting, you will experience a peace in knowing that God hears you no matter the time, place, or situation.
- Faith in God – as you experience the fellowship and peace that God offers through prayer, regardless of the setting, you will learn more about a Father that loves you and will do anything for you – even to the extent of giving up His only begotten Son to die in your place. This will allow your faith to grow and your trust in God to increase.
