I am just getting down to some reading for my latest essay, entitled ‘How has the understanding of the purposes of daily prayer changed from the beginnings of Christian history up to the present?’.

I think pretty much that the purpose throughout history has been all to do with marking time, to give a structure to the day and provide reference points to a persons relationship with God. It’s no coincidence that lots of religions mark certain times of the day with prayer; particularly morning, lunchtime and evening. In addition, prayer has developed to mark the seasons as well.

Until recently we, as humans have been pretty dependent on the cycle of the day and seasons. In 21st century western culture, however, there is no longer this dependence – we can but the same fruits all the year round, and when it gets dark and cold we turn the lights on and the heating up. In fact, I look at the cycle of my day, and I can re-create it very easily by turning night into day if I have a lot of work to do and looking deadlines.

So I am wondering if there is still a need to mark time in such a clear way. Maybe there is a greater need now than there has ever been. In the past daily prayer has been a response to sunrise, sunset etc. Are we now at the stage where we need to be pro-active in reminding ourselves that God is still in control of this techno age through a set pattern of daily prayer?

I am wondering what others may think – any of you people out there like to comment of what you think the purpose of daily prayer is today, or if there is a purpose for it at all?