The time of prayer

Unlike Islam and some other religions Christianity does not necessarily have particular times which are commanded for prayer or spiritual activity. Even adherence to the set times of Judaism, the old covenant which formed the basis of the new, is no longer required from the faithful. The Old Testament, with its types and shadows found completion and fulfilment in Christ. He ushered in a new covenant, based not on law, but grace and freedom.

Of this truth Paul says:

“But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years.” (Gal 4:9-10 NKJV)

“One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it...” (Rom 14:5-6)

There is nothing especially holy about Saturday (the traditional Jewish Sabbath) or a Sunday (the traditional day of Christian worship). Nor is early morning more holy than 2pm in the afternoon. The time is sanctified (set apart for God’s purposes) by the activity or altar it is placed upon. When we take time to pray, whenever it may be, it becomes a time ‘esteemed’, a time ‘unto the Lord’.

Jesus spoke about the reality of ‘abiding’ in Him. In this respect, all our time is set apart, not just one day each week, or one or two hours each day.

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” (John 15:4 NKJV)