Topical Encyclopedia The concept of designated hours for prayer is deeply rooted in biblical tradition and Jewish customs, which were carried into early Christian practices. The practice of praying at specific times of the day is evident throughout Scripture and has been a significant aspect of both personal and communal worship.Old Testament Background The practice of praying at specific times can be traced back to the Old Testament. Daniel is a notable example, as he prayed three times a day, facing Jerusalem (Daniel 6:10). This practice was likely influenced by the Jewish custom of offering sacrifices and prayers at set times, such as the morning and evening sacrifices (Exodus 29:38-42). New Testament Practice In the New Testament, the tradition of praying at specific hours continued and was observed by the early Christians. The Book of Acts provides several instances of this practice. For example, Peter and John went to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour (Acts 3:1). This corresponds to 3 PM, a time associated with the evening sacrifice and prayer. Another significant event occurred at the sixth hour, or noon, when Peter received a vision while praying on the rooftop (Acts 10:9). This indicates that prayer at specific hours was a regular part of the apostolic lifestyle. The Third, Sixth, and Ninth Hours The Jewish day was divided into twelve hours, starting at sunrise. The third hour (approximately 9 AM), the sixth hour (noon), and the ninth hour (3 PM) were particularly significant. The third hour is mentioned in Acts 2:15, when Peter addresses the crowd at Pentecost, indicating that the disciples were gathered for prayer. The ninth hour, as previously mentioned, was a time for prayer and sacrifice, as seen in Acts 3:1. The Role of Prayer in Early Christian Worship The early church adopted and adapted these Jewish prayer practices. The Didache, an early Christian document, suggests that Christians pray the Lord's Prayer three times a day, reflecting the Jewish custom of thrice-daily prayer. This practice underscores the continuity between Jewish and Christian worship and highlights the importance of regular, disciplined prayer in the life of believers. Spiritual Significance The hours of prayer serve as a reminder of the believer's dependence on God throughout the day. They provide structure for spiritual discipline and create opportunities for communion with God. By setting aside specific times for prayer, believers acknowledge God's sovereignty over time and their lives. Conclusion The hours of prayer, deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and carried into early Christian practice, reflect a disciplined approach to worship and devotion. They serve as a testament to the continuity of faith practices and the importance of regular, intentional prayer in the life of believers. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Hours of PrayerHOURS OF PRAYER The Mosaic law did not regulate the offering of prayer, but fully recognized its spontaneous character. In what manner or how far back in Jewish history the sacrificial prayer, mentioned in Luke 1:10, originated no one knows. In the days of Christ it had evidently become an institution. But ages before that, stated hours of prayer were known and religiously observed by all devout Jews. It evidently belonged to the evolutionary process of Jewish worship, in connection with the temple-ritual. Devout Jews, living at Jerusalem, went to the temple to pray (Luke 18:10 Acts 3:1). The pious Jews of the Diaspora opened their windows "toward Jerus" and prayed "toward" the place of God's presence (1 Kings 8:48 Daniel 6:10 Psalm 5:7). The regular hours of prayer, as we may infer from Psalm 55:17 and Daniel 6:10, were three in number. The first coincided with the morning sacrifice, at the 3rd hour of the morning, at 9 AM therefore (Acts 2:15). The second was at the 6th hour, or at noon, and may have coincided with the thanksgiving for the chief meal of the day, a religious custom apparently universally observed (Matthew 15:36 Acts 27:35). The 3rd hour of prayer coincided with the evening sacrifice, at the ninth hour (Acts 3:1; Acts 10:30). Thus every day, as belonging to God, was religiously subdivided, and regular seasons of prayer were assigned to the devout believer. Its influence on the development of the religious spirit must have been incalculable, and it undoubtedly is, at least in part, the solution of the riddle of the preservation of the Jewish faith in the cruel centuries of its bitter persecution. Mohammedanism borrowed this feature of worship from the Jews and early Christians, and made it one of the chief pillars of its faith. Library Of Stations, and of the Hours of Prayer. The Conversion of Cornelius. The Shadows of the Evening Hours What Sort of Prayer the Gnostic Employs, and How it is Heard by ... Of Prayer How among the Egyptians they Apply Themselves all Day Long to ... Of the Prayer of Recollection which God Generally Gives the Soul ... The Power of Prayer in Relation to Outward Circumstances. Treatise iv. On the Lord's Prayer. In God's Name I Beseech You Let Prayer Nourish Your Soul as Your ... Resources Why did Jesus say, “I thirst,” from the cross? | GotQuestions.orgIs it wrong for a woman to get an epidural and/or other pain relievers during childbirth? | GotQuestions.org Is it true that the sun stood still? | GotQuestions.org Hours: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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