How Long Does a Prayer Need to Be?

Did you ever wonder how long a prayer needs to be?  It needs to be as long as you need it to be.  Let me explain. 

Words can be powerful, and they are never more powerful than when spoken or written in a prayer.  This does not mean the more words you use, the more powerful the prayer becomes.  The power within the words lies in the feeling and the meaning within them.  For example, my husband once prayed a one-word prayer while on a mission trip in Ukraine. 

Their team had been working hard and the situation being one of war brought about some intense feelings.  He had witnessed the Lord at work in an amazing way that day.  When the group gathered that evening to pray, with a heart full of gratitude, he spoke his one word prayer to God, “Wow”. 

All his feelings of gratitude and awe towards our Lord were spoken within that one word, “Wow”.  I am quite sure God knew and understood.  Other men within the group spoke their many words of thanksgiving and praise to God.  I am sure every word they prayed was also understood and received by our Lord. 

As one of God’s intercessors, there are times that words of prayer literally pour out from me as I turn to the Lord and seek to pray at the foot of his throne for the one I am interceding for.  But there have also been times when I have learned of a prayer need for someone, and I have prayed with all my heart, “Lord, help them.”

It is not the length of my prayer that brings the answer.  It is not the eloquence or lack of eloquence.  It is not the familiarity nor the formalness.  It is not how many Scriptures I can quote or my political correctness that God needs to hear.  He needs to hear my heart within the prayer.  He loves to hear the Holy Spirit speak through me when I intercede.

Ultimately, it is God’s answer and not the words of our prayer that bring the blessing.  So, if you, too, are an intercessor or just someone who likes to pray, stop counting the words, phrases or sentences.  Just speak to God from your heart.  Ask the Holy Spirit to speak through you when you do not have any words at all.  God will still hear the silent cry of your heart when you go to bow before him in prayer.  And, he will hear you just as well on the days that your words of prayer come pouring forth in a torrent and seem to go on for as long as you have breath. 

Just let your prayer be as long as you need it to be. 

By Jacqui – One of God’s Intercessors