5. Pray Constantly, Day and Night

World Scripture

Celebrate constantly the praises of your Lord, before the rising of the sun and before its setting; yea, celebrate them for part of the hours of the night, and the sides of the day: that you may have spiritual joy.
Qur’an 20.130

Pray constantly.
1 Thessalonians 5.17

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
Psalm 16.7

The truest vision comes a little before daybreak.
Hadith of Tirmidhi and Darimi (Islam)

Rabbi Johanan said, “Would that man could pray all day, for a prayer never loses its value.”
Jerusalem Talmud, Berakot 1.1 (Judaism)

O you wrapped up in your raiment! Keep vigil the night long, save a little— A half thereof, or abate a little thereof Or add [a little] thereto and chant the Qur’an in measure, For We shall charge you with a word of weight. Lo! The vigil of the night is when impression is more keen and speech more certain. Lo! You have by day a chain of business. So remember the name of thy Lord and devote thyself with complete devotion.
Qur’an 73.1-8

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon

In the Bible we read that we should pray constantly. Why is it a crucial teaching to live by? Satan controls this fallen world. He lures us every which way and continually afflicts us with pain and suffering. The only way God’s power can reach us is in the perpendicular direction of the Spirit.
(201:208, April 9, 1990)

When you pray for public things all day and all night, your prayer becomes a living prayer. Then every few years the level of your prayer will advance, with different topics for the prayer.
(104:112, April 15, 1979)

Pray often to touch limitless spiritual power. That power should become the main spring of your life.
(Way of God’s Will 2.2)

Indescribable joy comes from a life of prayer. You enter the state of God’s thought at the time of creation.
(29:321, March 13, 1970)

Pray a lot. Although you may live alone, if you pray hard you will never be lonely. Prayer is like breathing. If you pray a lot, you will become spiritually bright. You will become very sensitive and acquire the ability to discern good and evil. Effective prayer requires sacrifices and special devotions.
(30:283, April 4, 1970)

Prayer supplies the warehouse of the heart. If you do not have time to pray, pray through the work you do.
(27:89, October 26, 1969)

When you become a person of complete character, your life becomes a prayer.
(Way of God’s Will 2.2)