WHERE SHOULD WE PRAY?

Mike Johnson

Is it necessary for people to pray in a particular location for their prayer to be acceptable or effective? Many think they must be in a specific place, such as a church building, for God to hear their prayers. Is the location of prayer significant? What does the Bible teach on this question?

It is clear from the Scriptures that the location for prayer is not significant. Consider places where various individuals prayed in the Scriptures.

The Mountains – After feeding the five thousand, Jesus left the multitudes and His disciples for the solitude of the mountains. Matt 14:23 says, “And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.”
The Wilderness – Before Jesus appointed the Apostles, He retired to the wilderness and prayed all night. Luke 5:16 says, “So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.”
Housetop – Peter was on the top of the house, praying, when he saw a vision informing him of the need to go and teach the Gentiles (Acts 10:9). The roof might seem like a strange place to pray, but in Biblical times, rooftops were often flat and were used as a porch would be today. These roofs could serve functional private places.
Jail – After Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned for doing God’s Work, instead of “licking their wounds,” they prayed. Acts 16:25 says, “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” Their prayers were even audible, as others could hear them.

Christians are to pray when they assemble for worship (1 Cor. 14:15). Yet, in the Bible, people also prayed in various other places, so the location of our prayer is not significant. A person is to “pray without ceasing” throughout the day, but a trip to the church building is not required (1 Thess. 5:17, Rom. 12:12).