How to Pray at All Times

While there are certain times within the day when we’ve scheduled a time to spend solitude with God and pray, that does not mean we cannot pray outside those fixed prayer times. Whether you’re walking along the side of the street, riding the bus to work, or even going to the bathroom, you can still pray and talk to God.

We pray to God at any time of the day by simply talking to Him regarding whatever we want to talk about. 

For example, let’s say you are a parent riding a bus going to work, and suddenly you remember that you have yet to pay for your child’s tuition fee, and you still need to come up with the payment. Right then, you can pray and ask God for the provision and even thank Him because you can present all your worries and anxieties to Him in prayer and that the peace of Christ shall rule in your heart and mind. 

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

[Philippians 4:6-7]

How do you pray throughout the day?

Prayer is our communication with God. Just as we talk to our friends or family, we talk to God through prayer. There are many things a person can encounter throughout his or her day, such as problems, things to celebrate, a person to pray for, etc. This shows that prayer is not just limited to a scheduled time with God, but we talk to God whenever we want to talk to Him throughout our day. God is easier to talk to wherever you are and whenever you want to communicate because, unlike others, He is there with you 24/7.

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

[Psalm 139:7]

Praying to God throughout different times of the day is already like praying without ceasing. We pray during the specific schedule we allotted to God and outside that schedule whenever we feel like praying. 

Praying throughout the day is something that happens organically. Whenever you encounter a situation where you want to talk to God about something, you pray. You can still pray even if you are doing next to nothing, such as waiting for a train. Those are the times that allow us to pray throughout the day.

Pray without ceasing.

[1 Thessalonians 5:17]

This verse also applies if you are praying to God about something of importance to you. For example, if you are praying for household salvation, you can pray about that to God not only when you spend solitude with Him but also at different times during the day, wherever you are.

How long should I pray every day?

Depending on the circumstance, the length of your prayer can vary. For example, if you pray during the specific time you set every day to spend with God, you pray for a long time because you are pouring your heart out to God as you enjoy communicating with Him. However, if you are praying while walking as you go to a nearby shop to buy snacks, your prayer time is shorter depending on how fast you reach that shop.

Note that there is no specific length of time that the Bible prescribes when it comes to praying. Prayer is us talking to God out of our relationship with Him and our desire to pursue intimacy with Him. We must remember that, in the end, our time does not revolve around the things we are busy with but around God. It is God Whom we should always prioritize regarding our time management. 

That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

[Matthew 6:4]

How many times does the Bible say to pray?

Just as our friends and family do not count how many times we should be talking to them in a day, God does not keep a record. As mentioned, prayer is communication with God from within one’s relationship with Him. Even if we pray many times in a day, it is useless if we don’t pray out of our relationship with God. 

The Bible does not tell us how many times we should pray a day. However, we need to note that the Bible says that we should not have other gods and that it is only God alone we should love above all. 

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

[Exodus 20:3]

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

[Matthew 22:37]

If we pray to God for only ten minutes, talk to our friends incessantly, and pour our hearts out to them more than we do for God, we are making an idol out of our friends. That is why, even if the Bible does not tell us how many times to pray specifically within a day, it is expected that we are going to pray to God a reasonable number of times a day. It should be God that we depend on and always run to.

Heavenly Father, You are the God Who hears every prayer I have in Christ. Thank You because in Christ, I can always pray to You and come before Your throne of grace at any time of the day. While friends and family are not with me every second, You are always with me. That is why I can always talk to You and depend on You for everything. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Remember that the motivation we have as to why we pray, whether during a scheduled time or spontaneously, is love. We want to talk to God because we love Him and delight in speaking to Him. As long as love toward God is our motivation, how many times we pray and how long a prayer we make is perfect.