How often should we pray for a specific need?
A Bible Study teacher told us that you should only pray for a particular need 'one time'. I have never read or heard this before. Is this thought supported in the Bible?
Luke 18:1 - 8
ESV - 1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.
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Asked April 16 2015
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Betty Rader
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Terrie Ensley
Hello, I've never read a specific number of times that a prayer should or can be spoken in the Bible. I do know that Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, prayed that the "cup" would be taken from him three times. Also, Paul prayed three times for the "thorn in his side" to be removed. There are other examples in Scripture of people being in prayer over the same situation more than once, or for a long period of time. God wants to hear our concerns and our desires. It's similar to our own longing to hear the concerns and desires of our children. Do our prayers sway God? I'm not certain about that. Many people think that they can and do. Regardless, we can be assured that He answers all prayer according to His good and gracious will. There is an interesting book written a long time ago by a man called Brother Lawrence. The title is Practicing the Presence of God. This book gives an account of Brother Lawrence's prayer life in which he constantly communicated with God. Every facet of Brother Lawrence's life was bathed in prayer. I like how this book shows how prayer does not have to have a beginning and end, but can be a way of life that includes God in everything that we do -- whether we are kneeling at the altar or washing our dinner dishes. If we learn to talk to God in all circumstances and to pray without ceasing, I predict that we will no longer be concerned about the number of times a particular "asking prayer" is allowed and become so intimate with God that we will never give that another thought. Do you agree?
Oluwatoyin Ajibose
I believe strongly that the Word of God should be our guide in all that we do. The book of 1 Thessalonians 5:17 enjoined us to pray without ceasing, and that's what I do all the time on any matter until I receive answers. It's not that God is deaf, far from it. I just continue to ask until my joy is full.
janet sanhamel
My opinion on praying is to never cease. God wants us to be close to him and depend on him at all times. The more you pray, the more you love Jesus. Just remember, when you ask for something, make sure you let him know how much he means to you by praising and worshiping in prayer and by everyday actions. God is good, he is a friend forever, so be with him always in prayer.
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