A man of God was compelled to fight for the life of his 6-month-old baby, who lay critically ill in the hospital. He had to spend six uninterrupted hours in prayer until a breakthrough came. A scripture surged in his spirit, resolving the crisis. The baby survived. What if he had never learned to pray for long?
Friend, prayer is not answered because of its length. It is answered because of its depth and accuracy (Hebrews 5:7). However, praying for a long time is necessary. While it is good to prioritise quality, you can have both quality and quantity at the same time (Luke 6:12).
Praying for a long time is an experience that every Christian should have (1 Thessalonians 5:17). It is not only for pastors or those in intercessory ministry. It is available to and attainable by all. It all begins with desire and decision coupled with the right motive (Psalm 63:1-2).
If you continue to believe that you cannot pray beyond a certain duration, you won’t break through in prayer and in destiny (Matthew 26:40). I believe that everyone should begin from where they can, but we all should seek to improve, no matter how little (Proverbs 4:18).
Some people have not seen the need to pray more than 15 minutes (Acts 6:4). If you keep pushing for 2-5 minutes longer every week, you would have been praying for more than an hour by now. Sometimes, God would bring you in contact with people who would stretch you beyond your limit (Matthew 26:38). Yield to such people.
Praying for a long time is training your spirit to stretch to possibilities in God (Philippians 3:10-14). It also helps you break through demonic barriers (Daniel 10:11-14). There are answers in destiny you would not get on the surface. You would need to go deeper in prayers to get them. Learn to pray for long. It doesn’t bite!
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria