Though there are places set aside for prayer, and we gather at various halls with those of like precious faith for that purpose, let us ever remember that prayer is not to be limited to such buildings or circumstances, neither is it hemmed in by walls.

Through prayer, we can reach God at any time, and in all circumstances. We can pray walking along a busy street; we can have communion with God whilst at our place of business, or when enjoying some form of recreation. The Lord told the woman of Samaria that worship is not limited to a specific city, place or circumstance, but may be offered wherever sons of God are found (John 4:20).

Men and women have poured out prayers unto God in strange circumstances, and in the most unlikely places. Thus Jonah prayed in the belly of a fish (Jonah 2:1); Paul prayed on the deck of a storm-tossed ship (Acts 27:35); Nehemiah prayed whilst handing wine to the king (Neh. 2:4); Hezekiah prayed on his bed of sickness with his face turned to the wall (Isa. 38:2); David prayed amid the ruins of a ravaged city in a moment of defeat and despair with his followers threatening to destroy him (1 Sam. 30:6); the disciples prayed in the open upon the sea-shore (Acts 21:5); Daniel prayed in the privacy of his house with his face turned towards Jerusalem (Dan. 6:10); Peter prayed on a mountain (Luke 6:12; 9:28); Samuel prayed on a battlefield (1 Sam. 7:9); Hannah prayed in public, silently (1 Sam. 1:13). In addition to these moments of urgency, there were set times for prayer. Whilst it is valuable that we make a habit of prayer at certain times of the day, it is equally important that prayer be not limited to such occasions, to become expressions of mere sterile formalism.