Praying Too Much

Posted on by josiahkagin

Recently, I was asked if, as a believer, we could pray too much. This is a good and valid question especially when we would naturally think of our relationship with God to be like our earthly relationships. Can you talk to a person too much? Perhaps. Our relationship with God is different, and so it is good that the Bible gives us some guidance about both the privilege and frequency of prayer. Let’s consider this!

  1. God is our Father
    When we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are born again. We are born into the family of God. This is something that the world and satan cannot steal from us. It is as certain and secure as our biological connection with our earthly parents. 1 John 3:1–2 tells us, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” According to Romans 8:16 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” The Holy Spirit indwells the believer constantly witnessing the fact that we belong to God as His children. 
  2. Our Sonship (or Daughtership) Gives us the Right to Pray
    As a child of God we have the privilege to come into His presence and ask anything of Him. This is a privilege the non-believer does not have. Hebrews 4:16 urges in this way. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” We are to go into the presence of our Father without any hesitation—boldly. This is only possible because of our restored relationship with Him through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Romans 8:15 tenderly informs us that we can talk to our Heavenly Father as our daddy. “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” Abba is the Aramaic equivalent of daddy. It is very personal! Don’t let Satan rob you of the joy of talking constantly with your heavenly daddy. 
  3. Ceaseless Prayer is the Desire of our Father
    As our Heavenly Father, God commands us to always be in communication with Him. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray without ceasing.” We are told in the following verse that in our prayer we are to always be grateful because this is the desire of our Father. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Ceaseless prayer from a heart of thanksgiving speaks of an open conversation that never ends. It is a conversation that begins as we wake up, continues as we get ready for the day, as we work, as we eat, as we travel, as we relax, and as we go to bed. While this does not mean we are on our knees or bowed in prayer the whole day, it does mean we have an ongoing conversation with our Father throughout the day. This is His desire. He created us for a relationship with Him. Sin ruined it, and Christ restored it at the cross!
  4. Prayer Declares our Dependence
    When we pray and seek our Father constantly, we are declaring that we need Him. Jesus demonstrated this while He was on earth. Jesus spent much time in prayer. In fact, He spent all night in prayer before He chose His 12 disciples. “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” (Luke 6:12) He spent hours in prayer during the night before He was betrayed and arrested in Gethsemane. “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39)

So, can a child of God pray too much? That answer is “No!” Pray on! Keep talking to your Father. Share your every concern! Tell Him your deepest fear and anxiety. Verbally give Him your smallest and largest burdens. He wants to hear from you. By the way, it is satan who wants to make you feel like you are bothering your Father. Don’t listen to him…he is never up to any good!