Knowing when to pray

Years ago, when I was much younger, I had a friend who was dying. When I say that he was dying, I mean that he was in the hospital on his death bed and he would not make it through the night. He was 28 and I was in my mid 20’s.

I came into his room and his mother was there. We hugged each other and I stood there, looking at her son. I didn’t know what to say or how to act. She walked to the door and said, “I’ll let you have a few minutes to say what you need to say.” She left us.

My friend was not conscious or able to talk so there I was ... alone with him and unable to think of anything to say. What should I do? What should I say?

I wasn’t prepared for a moment like that so I did what I do best. All I could do was pray. Not quietly, but out loud. I wanted him to hear; to know that God knew about him and that He cared. I left him and he died a few hours later.

I will always remember that night because my last act with him was a moment of prayer when God put it into my heart to pray.

God calls His people to pray, so we should pray. Pray for whatever is on your heart and do it whenever your heart thinks to do it. I pray a lot and I have never had anyone tell me that they are offended by my praying. Most people love prayer and they love being prayed for. So, when is the best time to pray?

The best time to pray is always right now. Don’t be ashamed to pray or afraid to be in prayer. Look at this verse by Paul and note these three words: all, always and every:

Philippians 1:3-4

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all.”

It’s best to just make room, take a minute and pray when you think to do it. For the followers of Jesus, prayer should be a lifestyle, not a moment.