There's probably nothing more important in the life of a believer than his or her personal prayer life. That's why it's rather disheartening to think how few Christians have an actual prayer life. I've come to the conclusion that a possible hindrance to our prayer lives lies in a common piece of apparel - the watch.
Not because people think they don't have enough time to pray (although that may be the excuse of some) but rather in the thinking that they have to fulfill a certain amount of time while they pray or else they've somehow missed the boat. After all, the words "prayer" and "time" go together like, well, prayer-time. Seldom can conversations about prayer take place without the inevitable question of time coming up - as in 'how long do you pray'? Perhaps the influence of various books, or even Jesus' statement to Peter, James and John (which is taken out of context to prove a one hour prayer time) has given us this thought that we MUST pray for one hour or we have somehow grieved the Lord and let Him and ourselves down.
I have discovered something liberating in my prayer life - something that has brought deeper intimacy and closeness with the Lord - and more powerful moments with the Lord. That something is this - I no longer 'time' myself while I pray. That may sound funny but I used to be a hard-core, 'follow the watch' person when I prayed. I reasoned that if I hadn't 'gotten my hour in' that I hadn't really prayed. I literally watched the 'watch' to see when I had 'put in' my hour.
Thank God I'm free from that now. In fact it occurred to me - what if I treated my wife like that? What if I said "Honey, you have only one hour of my attention - then I'm off to do my own thing and will ignore you the rest of the day"? Then, to make matters worse during that hour, I insult her with frequent 'watch checks' and enough mind wondering to more than qualify for day dreaming. Is that the intimacy that Jesus desires to have with us? Is this the prayer life of an overcoming child of God? Fortunately not.
Here are some things that the Lord has taught me about prayer the past few years:
I've developed a prayer life - instead of a prayer time. I used to pray until the clock said I was done. Now I pray until I have a release in my spirit or a breakthrough - when I feel like I've connected with God and His presence becomes strong, that's when I feel like I'm done praying. Whether that takes sixty-seconds or sixty-minutes to happen - the amount of time is quite immaterial and doesn't matter. I no longer wear a watch or consult a clock before, during or after praying.
Timing your prayer pretty much defeats its purpose. Prayer is about developing intimacy with God. I've found that no one ever prays because they ought to - people pray because the Holy Spirit has brought something to life inside of them - people pray out of hunger and desire for HIM. Timing prayer is similar to me telling you to go tell your wife you love her. Sure, we all need reminders sometimes - but if it's not in your heart to do, if it's not a passion inside of you - then the expression of empty words means little if nothing. Timing prayer is actually more akin to legalism than intimacy and relationship.
If prayer is a once a day timed event - we're missing out on what God wants to do. I'm not saying that we shouldn't have a set time to pray, but I am saying that prayer needs to become a lifestyle in our hearts - not just a once a day appointment. Lately I'm learning what it means to set my affections on Him. When we learn to set our affections on the Lord we can experience that closeness with Him anywhere at anytime. I find this much preferable in my daily life because it keeps me tuned in to the Holy Spirit and what He might be up to in a given situation where He's wanting to do something through me - no matter where I'm at.
Christians too often 'turn off' their listening to the Holy Spirit when they leave church, which is unfortunate because a majority of the ministry that God is wanting us to do today should be taking place OUTSIDE of the church walls. But this is where we (in general) seem to be the least in tune with Him. We marvel at stories where God uses people to pray for the sick at Wal-Mart, or to lead someone to Christ at work, or to give a word of knowledge to a grocery store cashier - and wonder how awesome it would be to be used like that. It is awesome and should be far more commonplace for the believer. I believe it will happen more when we learn to stop boxing up our 'time' with God.
