Vigils: Do we have to pray at night?

(Do We Have to Pray at Night?)

Over the years, there have been many teachings on the need to pray at night, with various reasons. One familiar one in Africa is that, “it is in the night the forces of darkness hold their meetings and operate best; therefore, if you do not attack them at night, they would have concluded everything and it would be too late.”

Is this actually accurate?

One popularly quoted reference is Matthew 13:25:

"BUT WHILE MEN SLEPT, HIS ENEMY CAME and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way." (KJV)

A popular commentary on this is summed up this way,

“When people sleep at night, that is when the devil comes and sows different types of tares:

Tares of sickness

Tares of affliction

Tares of failure

Tares of poverty

Tares of death, and so on.

That is why you need to pray at nights.”

Is this right at all? Is this what Jesus meant?

It would do us a world of good to always read in context; read the whole parable (Matthew 13:24-30). What's more interesting is the fact that Jesus explained this parable.

Matthew 13:36-43(KJV)

[36]Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

[37]He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

[38]The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but THE TARES ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE WICKED ONE;

[39]The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

[40]As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

[41]The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

[42]And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

[43]Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

The tares are the children of the wicked one (verse 38)—UNBELIEVERS!

The significance of this parable is not the night but the fact that the enemy did his evil surreptitiously (secretly). Besides, night wasn't even mentioned; it is only inferred.

Many also teach about it being compulsory to pray at night because:

Jesus prayed at night (Luke 6:12)

Peter betrayed him at night (Matthew 26:34)

The apostles were delivered from prison at night (Acts 5:19)

Peter was rescued from prison at night (Acts 12:6-7)

Paul and Silas’ freedom from prison began at midnight (Acts 16:25-26)

And so on.

True.

But, how many miracles did Jesus at night? Most of his recorded miracles were wrought during the daytime and evening.

We are instructed to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), meaning ANYTIME and EVERYTIME.

Paul prayed night and day.

1 Thessalonians 3:10(NIV)

NIGHT AND DAY we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

2 Timothy 1:3(ESV)

I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers NIGHT AND DAY.

See David’s words:

Psalms 55:17(KJV)

EVENING, AND MORNING, AND AT NOON, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

Prayer is done at any time and it is advisable to pray when you can be best active. I love to pray at night but I equally pray in the day, and there is absolutely no difference, ceteris paribus.

Let's see this practically: 12 midnight in Nigeria is approximately 6:00 p.m. in the US. So, if I'm in the US, when should I attack the "forces of darkness" from my hometown holding their meetings? If I do so by 6:00 p.m., it won't be a “night vigil”; if I wait till 12 midnight, they would have concluded their meeting by then.

So, what's the way forward?

Prayer is not restricted to any particular time.

Very importantly, when you pray, do so with an understanding that Jesus has won the victory.

Colossians 2:15(AMP)

[God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross].

And he has given this victory to us.

Ephesians 2:4-6(KJV)

[4]But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

[5]Even when we were dead in sins, HATH QUICKENED US TOGETHER WITH CHRIST, (by grace ye are saved;)

[6]AND HATH RAISED US UP TOGETHER, AND MADE US SIT TOGETHER IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST JESUS:

We are seated with Christ today far above all principalities and powers.

So, while truly we are in a warfare in this world, we do not fight FOR victory; we children of God fight FROM the standpoint of victory in Christ Jesus.

Luke 10:19(KJV)

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and OVER ALL THE POWER OF THE ENEMY: and NOTHING shall by any means hurt you.

Also, it is important to note that IT IS ABSOLUTELY POSSIBLE to receive a leading by the Spirit of God to pray at night. It is not impossible at all and it is important to obey EVERYTIME.

So, what is the essence of this teaching?

Are vigils wrong? No.

Are they important? Yes.

Are prayers at night more potent than prayers in the day? NO.

Day? Night? Pray without ceasing.

Victor Ibosiola © 2017