Are we praying too much or too little?

Responding to criticism and the need to balance praying and doing

Some people believe praying often is a waste of time.

They criticize Christians who pray a lot. Instead we should be out doing. It’s said we are always praying, but never taking action.

Others who pray frequently are intercessors. They believe prayer is doing something, and in praying before doing anything. To them, pleading God’s word is a necessary action.

The problem is, some pray too much, others not enough.

A Christian can sit and wait for God to give them a sign instead of doing something themselves. For instance, if someone prays for a job but doesn’t look for one, or prays for a spouse but doesn’t try to meet people, they might be accused of praying too much without acting. People might say they're praying about it to avoid making decisions.

This isn't really praying; it's more like making excuses because of fear or doubt. It’s more procrastinating than praying. True prayer asks in humble trust and goes forward in the assurance of God’s perfect answer to come.

Be sure you distinguish between prayer and excuses.

Our praying is asking the Lord to help us.

Some kind of praying is doing something.

It’s asking God to be involved in a situation, for Him to give whatever is needed to do a thing. The Lord usually doesn’t just do it all for us, but in and through us. His answer may involve us going out and taking action.

He has what we do not and so we seek Him and trust Him to give.

Are we praying as much or more than Daniel did, three times a day? Or like the widow Anna who prayed night and day in the temple? If not, we're not praying too much, especially for others.

Even this type of praying may also require us to act.

At Epaphras Prays, we say start on your knees and roll up your sleeves.

But the real issue for Christians isn’t too much prayer, it’s too little.

Too often we don't pray at all, or pray enough, or in the right way. According to James, when we pray with wrong motives, we're not truly asking God. If Christians prayed rightly—and more often, we would take more action in God's strength and guidance.

We should pray more and also act more.

If we're not doing both, it’s not because we pray too much; it’s because we need to pray more and in the right way. We encourage more people of God to pray more from the Word of God for other people of God. It’s full of promises from the Lord that He wants to give us when we ask.

Ask for boldness to speak to someone about Christ, then go do it.

Don’t hide behind prayer to avoid taking action.

Neither neglect prayer and only doing on your own ability. Praying invites the Lord in the situation. Not praying leaves you to act in your own ability, wisdom, strength.

Many times an answer comes while you are doing the mundane.

Remember Abraham’s servant who was sent to find a wife for Issac? He stopped his camels by the well, and prayed the Lord give him success. Just then, Rebekah came with her jar. (See Genesis 24)

To wrap up, we need to balance praying with doing. Like Daniel, he served the kingdom and prayed three times a day. Serve in the church ministry, and pray about everything. Pray for yourself and for others from the Bible, then go get busy loving, serving, and growing in your own faith.

Are you praying too much, or too little?

Probably both. Too much for temporary matters and too little for eternal or spiritual matters. Strike a balance, pray more, then go in the Lord’s strength, wisdom, energy, boldness and grace.

For Further Reading

Until next time, grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ…

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