Pray - Anytime, Anywhere, In Every Way

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

Each week, at the beginning and ending of our Sunday School class, the teacher would say, “Let’s bow our heads, close our eyes, fold our hands, and pray.” I grew up thinking that was the only acceptable mode of prayer. Surely I’m not the only one, right?

Then one day, my prayer mode was shattered. I was in Bible College at the time, and I sang with various groups in churches throughout the Western United States. Our small group was in the car and on our way to a church when the driver said, “Let’s pray.” Then he started praying with his eyes open. Sure, I was really glad he did that, but all the while I wondered if God listened to his prayer.

Why is it that we bow our heads and close our eyes when we pray? The most logical reason is to avoid distractions. But please remember, Scripture doesn’t require it. That also goes for other limitations we often place on prayer, like posture. Scripture tells of people praying while standing, sitting, kneeling, lying flat on their face, looking upward, bowing downward, facing Jerusalem, and with hands lifted. 

Some limit prayer to morning or evening devotions. But Scripture tells of people praying in the morning, evening, before meals, three times a day, after meals, at bedtime, and at midnight. 

By the way, there is no limit on the places or circumstances for our prayers. Scriptures tells of people praying in a cave, in a closet, in a garden, at the foot of a mountain, on a mountainside, on a mountaintop, by a river, by the sea, on the sea, in a street, in the Temple, in bed, at home, in the belly of a fish, on the battlefield, when at war, when at peace, on a housetop, in prison, in the desert, on a cross, when they were young, when they were old, in good times, and in bad times. They prayed silently, out loud, shouting, by themselves, and in groups. Furthermore, they prayed short prayers and long prayers. 

It’s clear, isn’t it; there is no limit placed on prayer—no correct mode, kind of prayer, location, or circumstance. Just pray. Pray about any subject at any time of the day or night. Pray always; anytime, anywhere, in every way. 

Prayer should never be limited to certain times, places, or circumstances.

Then He [Jesus] told them a parable, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart. Luke 18:1