The Bible Study column runs four times a year in the February, May, August, and November issues. We welcome your submissions and comments at Friendsjournal.org/biblestudy.
Acts 3:1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer, at three in the afternoon.
Luke 6:12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God (NIV).
Seventeenth-century Quaker meetings consisted of sitting together in complete silence and waiting for the Holy Spirit to move among them. If someone felt a “divine leading,” they would stand and share a message, a prayer, or a testimony. Both men and women could do this, something revolutionary for that century. This historical description shows how Quakers seek God. Likewise, new generations must seek God with all their hearts and be moved by the Spirit of God.
Around 40 years ago, the mobile phone was first made accessible to the general public; it has since become indispensable to modern daily life. In the same way, prayer is like that device; through it, a person can communicate with God at any time or in any circumstance. It is not a means of communication invented by humans but created by God for the spiritual benefit of those who use it. To pray is to speak or communicate with the Creator with complete confidence.
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jer. 33:3). “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Heb. 4:16).
Prayer is an important part of the devotional life of a Christian. Too many of us, however, live our days on autopilot, without considering our relationship with Jesus. Our thoughts are occupied with responsibilities, worries, personal goals, and emotions. Through prayer, anyone can draw near to God, and by making prayer a habit—regardless of the time—our lives can be transformed.
In the Morning (Psalm 5:3)
This psalm is traditionally attributed to King David. It is believed to have been written during a time of great distress, possibly while he was fleeing from his son Absalom, whose rebellion caused a familial and political crisis. It is a prayer for protection against enemies who use lies and deceit.
The phrase “in the morning” refers to dawn, leading us to conclude that David sought God’s Presence and Guidance as soon as he woke up. He considered those first hours as belonging to God; his communion with God was the priority for facing the rest of the day. The Friends Church in Central America refers to this biblical truth as “personal devotions,” which consist of praying and reading the Bible daily before beginning the day’s activities.
Developing a meaningful relationship with Jesus involves intentionally including him in your daily routine. Just as with human love, there is constant communication and a desire for closeness; in spiritual life, one can cultivate a conscious connection. Being “in love” with Jesus is based not only on emotions but on a daily decision to be in communion. It means beginning the day with an attitude of dependence and trust, knowing you are not walking alone.
Before checking your phone, leaving home, or immersing yourself in your activities, dedicate a few minutes to God. I offer this simple and sincere prayer: “Lord, today I come before you. Guide me in every decision, direct my thoughts, and accompany me in everything I do. I want to live this day with you.”
Starting the day this way does not eliminate challenges, but it transforms your perspective. It allows you to face work, studies, relationships, and responsibilities with direction, purpose, and confidence.
In the Afternoon (Acts 3:1)
Prayer is effective at any time because what ultimately matters is quality, not quantity. There is no specific time that makes us holier or more acceptable before God. What matters is to pray.
In Acts 3:1, we see two of the apostles praying in the afternoon. In Jewish culture, the day (the daylight portion) began at 6:00 a.m. and ended at 6:00 p.m. Thus, the third hour corresponds to 9:00 a.m., the sixth hour to noon, and the ninth hour to 3:00 p.m. During the Second Temple period, these were recognized times of prayer among devout Jews. What stands out is that prayer can be offered in the afternoon and in the temple, a suitable place due to its tranquility and privacy.
Just as Peter and John set aside the ninth hour to pray, we too can make the afternoon a time to meet with God. When fatigue and the concerns of the day accumulate, afternoon prayer allows us to unburden our hearts, regain peace, and reaffirm our trust in God.
At Night (Luke 6:12)
On this occasion, Jesus prays to his Father during the night. He goes up to the mountain and—as the gospels record—“spent the night praying to God.” This reveals not only Jesus’s spiritual discipline but also a profound truth about God: He does not sleep or grow weary.
Psalm 121:4 says: “Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” What an extraordinary promise: to know that God is not limited by human time, that He does not grow tired or absent but is the eternal God, always ready to listen and respond when He is sought.
Therefore, the Bible teaches us to communicate with God (that is, to pray) at any time: morning, afternoon, or night. When prayer becomes a daily and constant practice, it ceases to be a mere routine and becomes a living experience that ignites the heart, strengthens faith, and leads to a fervent and committed spiritual life. The important thing is not to let a day pass without praying.
Many early Friends believed that true prayer begins with the Spirit and returns to the Spirit; this is a deep reflection of Quaker theology. For them, authentic prayer does not simply come from human effort, emotion, or repetition of words but from the work of God’s Spirit within the person. It is the Spirit who inspires the desire to pray and moves the heart.
More than a habit or discipline, prayer is about enjoying the Presence of God. “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).
Discussion Questions
- Do you seek God with all your heart? Are there times in your day when you could make more space to be moved by the Spirit?
- What distracts you from enjoying the presence of God in your life? How can you responsibly minimize those distractions, or fold them into a prayerful approach to your day?
- Do you pray confidently? If not, what might help strengthen your relationship with God?
We want to hear from you, not an AI! Please be thoughtful and use your own words. Comments on Friendsjournal.org may be used in the Forum of the print magazine and may be edited for length and clarity.