When should you pray? The bible says to “pray without ceasing.” This is good news! God doesn’t put up a “Gone for lunch” sign. You don’t have to make an appointment. We can talk to him any time. In fact, he wants to be in every moment of our lives. He loves us that much.
While God doesn’t give us orders to pray at certain times, I noticed that there are favorite times for most people to communicate with God. Some pray as they rise and when they go to bed and before every meal.
What surprised me is that 3:00 in the afternoon is a time that is mentioned in the bible specifically for prayer.
Acts 3:1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer – at three in the afternoon.
I didn’t even know there was a “time of prayer.” Interesting.
Here’s another verse about 3:00 p.m.
Acts 10:30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me.
Daniel prayed three times a day. It doesn’t say at what hours, but I’m guessing the morning, middle of the afternoon and evening.
Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
What I found most interesting is that the last prayer that Jesus prayed while living here on earth was at 3:00.
Matthew 27:46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”)
Luke 23:44-46 It was about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
How interesting that Jesus said his last prayer and died at 3:00 in the afternoon. I’m not telling you this for any particular reason except that I found it interesting, so I thought you might too. As far as I know, the bible never tells us we have to pray at 3:00 in the afternoon.
We are blessed to have a God whose heart and ears are always open to us.
Michigan Mary 
Very fascinating observation that I have never heard from another source! Nor have I ever noticed this pattern.
While special times of prayer are invaluable, your opening note, “He wants to be in every moment of our lives,” holds truest. It is a slow process, but finding the direction of my constant “self-conversation” to be turning towards Father is revealing how we “pray without ceasing.” To be aware of His Presence every moment can take us into fields of wonder of His love and holiness.
❤️&🙏, c.a.
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Amen! He never gets tired of hearing from us. That is amazing all by itself. I never noticed the 3:00 pattern before either and I’ve been reading the bible for decades. We never reach the point where we can say, “I know the bible completely now. I don’t need it any more.” There are so many gems in that book that I have yet to discover.
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This is a very interesting post on prayer. Most Jews pray three times a day. The special prayer called the Holy Trinity Prayer is prayed at 3:00 every day. It is a special prayer. Three o:clock was when Jesus took his last breath. Also we have many Catholic friends too and they meet together and pray this special prayer. Thank you Mary. It is a great question. I learned most of this from our favorite neighbors who are devoted Catholics and some of the most gracious and giving people I have ever met. Sending many blessings your way dear Mary. Big hugs and love 💗
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I never heard of the Holy Trinity Prayer. I just looked it up. Thank you for the information. I’ve been going to church for five decades and never knew about praying at 3:00. I discovered it on my own by reading the bible (my favorite book). I too have some amazing friends and family who are Catholic. Many blessings to you too! I’ll take all that you send me!
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