Is repetitve prayer necessary or a symptom of lack of faith?

[SueAnn]

Is repetitive prayer necessary or a symptom of lack of faith?

I have been unable to find the answer to this in the bible.
Scripture, please?

When I pray for specific things, I pray ONCE.

I don't repeat the same requests for guidance over and over.
Is this wrong?
Is repetitive prayer necessary to let God know how serious I am in wanting answers?
Does the squeeky wheel get the oil faster?

[mark s]

Luke 18:1-8 NLT

(1) One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must never give up.
(2) "There was a judge in a certain city," he said, "who was a godless man with great contempt for everyone.
(3) A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, appealing for justice against someone who had harmed her.
(4) The judge ignored her for a while, but eventually she wore him out. `I fear neither God nor man,' he said to himself,
(5) `but this woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!' "
(6) Then the Lord said, "Learn a lesson from this evil judge.
(7) Even he rendered a just decision in the end, so don't you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who plead with him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?
(8) I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when I, the Son of Man, return, how many will I find who have faith?"

[mark s]

It occurs to me, perhaps continuing to pray for something shows our faith, in that we know, even though we've not yet seen the answer to our pray, God still hears us, and can still act.

As an example, Jesus prayed three times to be saved from the torturous death He was to die.

He most assuredly did not lack faith.

Love in Christ,
Mark

[Abiding in His Word]

I know you asked for scripture, SueAnn, but the more I looked through scripture, the more convinced that there is no "rule" about the number of times one should pray for any purpose. There are times I pray once and times I pray for years. For example, every time I see my one son, I gently remind the Lord that he's not saved. I've been reminding him for about 10 years now. I don't think He minds. It's because I'm human that I feel the need, not because I lack faith and God knows that. Once in awhile, I even identify myself in prayer by telling him the street I live on.... it's just my way of saying I feel like He's forgotten me. I don't think He minds.

There are all types of prayer; i.e. petition, thanksgiving, burdens for souls, repentance, etc. Nearly every night, I thank the Lord that I have a roof over my head and a bed to sleep in. Prayer is communicating with the Lord and I think He loves to hear from us.....

When my sons call me on the phone, I don't pick apart everything they say or the way the say it. And thank God, when I repeat the same story over and over because I've forgotten I told them, they don't correct me. They are just happy to hear from me.

God's an awesome Father who's happy to hear from us imho.

[AndCanItBe]

I don't think it's the repetition that's wrong, it's the attitude.

Matthew 6

6"But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

7"And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.


If you're praying in earnest and not going through the motions thinking God has to answer you because of some formulaic recitation, then I think it qualifies as persistence.

[TexasBeliever]

Jesus told us to pray unceasingly and with persistance. He also said that oftentimes prayers are heard BECAUSE of persistance.

[daffodyllady]

It's just like the clothing issue.
God doesn't look on the outside, as man does. In fact, that's really all we can see, so how can we judge others rightly at all?

But just as some think modest clothing makes them more saved, and others react against that false teaching, by declaring it doesnt matter to God at all what we do or don't wear!...

Even so, some people think that repetitive prayers make them more audible to God... and some react to this, saying that God detests repetitious prayer... and they outlaw all repetitious praying.

Actually, God does enjoy repetitious prayer, if it proceeds from an honest and seeking heart. He knows if the person is doing it to twist His arm, or to rack up brownie points with Him.
Just like modest clothing. Some will judge modestly clothed christian women, saying that they are trying to earn something... as if they could judge a heart by looking on the outside. God enjoys modest clothing, if it proceeds from a humble and modest heart, seeking only to please and obey Him.

So, I propose we stick to inspecting fruit, instead of branching into judging motives.

[weepingwillow]

He went away again the second time, and prayed,
saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from
me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes
were heavy.
And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the
third time, saying the same words. Matthew 26:42-44

[Keeping Alert]

Actually, I think the caution against repetitive prayers refers to chanting.

If we pray a prayer concerning the same matter on different days, invariably we will be saying words that are different and with that with different insights and emotions as the days progress. So it is not really repetition.

I personally do not think that praying repeatedly for a matter is either good or bad but all should be done as the Spirit leads. Sometimes when I pray, I get a sense that once is enough... the matter is either settled or that God had already taken note and there will be an answer in due time. But on other times, I feel an urgent sense to pray repeatedly on a matter at different times in the day.

The important thing is to be able to rest in the Lord and know that God is an Omnipresent God and he has heard your prayers. The frequency of praying is I feel Spirit-led and we follow accordingly.

[WOODHENOT3]

Many people prayed for my hearing for 30 years...now I can miraculous hear. :)

[Abiding in His Word]

[daffodyllady]

Mat 26:36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
Mat 26:37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
Mat 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
Mat 26:39 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.
Mat 26:40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Mat 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Mat 26:43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
Mat 26:44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

Jesus said that some think they are heard for their much speaking. I have spoken with a Catholic who was urging the praying of Novenas. I had never heard of such a thing, so I asked what it was... It is a scripted prayer that is to be prayed for 9 days. Great results are guaranteed!
I think this kind of thing is what Jesus was warning against.

[Abiding in His Word]

I think this kind of thing is what Jesus was warning against.

I agree, Daffodyllady. Catholics have numerous "magic" methods of getting prayers answered; novenas, rosaries, and a variety of saints to appeal to for specific reasons. I remember one time when I was very young and prayed to St. Jude (the saint of the impossible) for something. Can't remember what for, but it didn't get answered. I turned the statue of him I had in my room around to show him my displeasure. Thinking back...how utterly ridiculous!