As you know I launched a website a couple of months ago in order to mobilize the Christians in my county (Santa Rosa, FL) to cover every hour of 2010 in prayer (all 8760 hours). (if you don't know, go right now to http://www.714santarosa.com/). During this process, I have been amazed at the comments from some as to the length of the prayer time -not the one year part but the one hour. It seems that the idea of praying for one solid hour has become something way out there, something unheard of, something only reserved for the radical Christians, or something that is a stretch for the average man.
It seems like not that much has changed since the days of Jesus. During the evening before Jesus was arrested, He asked His disciples, "could you men keep watch with me for one hour?" (matthew 26:40). I contend that Jesus is still asking that same question of us today - would you please just spend some time with me?
But why is one hour such a big deal, why would it even cross our mind to register our time of prayer with a friend so we can divide up the hour even smaller? Is it because we are so hurried we haven't the time for prayer? Do we only want microwave faith? Do we think we don't have that much to talk about - what about listening? What about worship and singing? What about reading Scripture and allowing the word to simmer in our soul?
On January 1 from 12am-1am was my first hour of prayer. It flew by and I look forward to my first hour of every month in 2010. I read an email from someone whose hour went so quick it turned quickly into 2 hours.
I don't think for a second that "one hour" is too great a goal and should be lowered to accomodate our feeble faith. I cling to the notion that one hour should be the launching point for a lifestyle of unceasing communion with God. Just try it. Prayer doesn't hurt too much.
Is one Hour too much? I don't think so.
B
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