Not too long ago I was asking myself, “what are some of the main Biblical reasons the church should worship and pray night and day?” It’s a good question to ask ourselves often, because we need to be Biblically convicted, convinced, and reminded - and then respond, act, and live our lives in accordance.

7 things came to my mind. These 7 reasons are by no means an exhaustive list, but they’re the first things that came to my mind as to why the people of God, both collectively and individually, should worship and pray night and day.

#1 - HE IS WORTHY, POWERFUL, & HAS LOVED US FIRST

Simply because He is God alone, He is worthy of unceasing adoration. He is Uncreated and we are created. The Scriptures are full of truths that show us the greatness of who God is and what He is like. His unending glory is unsearchable. Who He is and what He does is unfathomable, so we respond with praise. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Is He worthy of anything less than our whole lives and the entirety of our days, months, and years?

Yet, not only a response because He is Almighty - but a loving response because He is the One who loved us first. It’s not simply a robotic response. We respond because He is powerful, yes, but also because He is a jealous God full of emotions and ardent effections for us. He loved us first, so it is only right that we give Him love back. True love always pours over. We worship as a response to who He is, what He does, but most of all because we LOVE Him. 

#2 - HE CALLED HIS PEOPLE ISRAEL TO BE A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS

The LORD called His people Israel to be a Kingdom of Priests. As He brought them out of Egypt He said: “you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). 

The LORD gave His people instructions for the tabernacle and how to minister to Him constantly: “A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.” (Leviticus 6:13)

God gave them the tabernacle as a pattern after heaven: “there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, ‘See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.’” (Hebrews 8:4-5)

This leads me to the next point…

#3 - THE PATTERN OF HEAVEN

The model, precedent, and reality set in Heaven is one of perpetual worship - with instruments, prayer, and song:

“They do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty” (Revelation 4:8)

“The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song…” (Revelation 5:8)

Jesus prayed, and taught us to pray, for it to be “on earth as in heaven”. I think that statement means a lot, but one of the things it most certainly includes is the aspect of night and day worship. It is the LORD’s will and desire to have it be on earth as in heaven.

The epicenter of His Kingdom and His Government is a throne room with constant worship and prayer in response to a beautiful God. If we want to partner with Jesus and His Kingdom, this is the main way we do it. But not only is it the way we rule and reign with Him, it is the way we are truly satisfied in our deepest parts. This circles back to point #1 -- His beauty, glory, and worth is the primary reason we respond and it is the primary thing that satisfies our hearts with deep and eternal joy.

#4 - HE CALLS ALL NATIONS AND PEOPLES TO BE A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS

Not only did the LORD redeem Israel unto Himself to be a priestly people, but He calls all nations and peoples to be a Kingdom of Priests to him:

“…made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1:6)

“For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood. Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:10) 

This is what we were redeemed UNTO. It will be our eternal occupation to enjoy God and give Him our worship. But it is not only the next age - we worship Him now. We make offerings with the sacrifice of our praise: the worship from our lips and mouths.

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. (Hebrews 13:15)

It’s not the sacrifice of bulls and goats that He is looking for - He is looking for praise and thanksgiving: Will I eat the flesh of bulls, Or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High. (Psalm 50:13-14)

Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; (Psalm 50:23)

It really is the central reason we were created and exist: to praise and glorify God. The intention of God from the beginning was for us to be close to His heart and to be in the image of His Son.

#5 - A LONGING FOR HIS RETURN AND A CRY FOR JUSTICE & RESTORATION

Jesus connected the timing of His return and hinged His return to a time on the earth when His people would be crying out for Him: “You shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Matthew 23:38)

Our hearts long for the Day when the Son of Man will come and make all the wrong things right, defend and avenge His people: “Shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him” (Luke 18:7)

#6 - GOD’S ZEAL FOR JERUSALEM AND THE ETERNAL DAVIDIC KINGDOM

God has great zeal to restore Jerusalem and set up His eternal Davidic Kingdom there. (Isaiah 62, 2 Sam 7, Ezekiel 34 & 37, Zechariah 8) He says that He will not keep quiet for the cause of Zion and will not rest until He saves and establishes Jerusalem as a praise in the earth. He desires watchmen with this same incessant desire that He has. “Watchmen on the walls day and night” is specifically connected to God’s unending zeal for Jerusalem.

I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, And give Him no rest till He establishes And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. (Isaiah 62:6-7)

#7 - OBEDIENCE TO THE NEW TESTAMENT AND THE APOSTLE PAUL’S WRITINGS

The New Testament shows that regular prayer was a normal rhythm in the early church.

“They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42)

“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God...” (Acts 2:46)

 Also, we should take seriously the Apostle Paul’s charge and example to pray without ceasing:

“pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17)

“Night and day we pray most earnestly…” (1 Thess. 3:10)

These are some of the Biblical reasons I see for praying and worshiping night and day. What are some other reasons the church should worship night and day that come to your mind when you look at the Scriptures? Comment below.