How many times a day should frontline missionaries pray, especially those in closed countries or working in resistant and hostile people groups? Three times a day like Daniel, or simply without ceasing as the Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17? Well, this is the story of how our family came to set aside seven prayer times every day.

In December 2006, when we first arrived at our project site in Kandi, we had two daily family prayer times—one in the morning and one in the evening. But after a series of events—the spiritual attacks during our first night in our house, the burn our daughter received on Benin’s Voodoo holiday, the mysterious diseases that affected our new friends, and the tensions created by some extreme Muslims—we decided in October 2007 to begin praying three times a day as a family. Our goal was to be triumphant in the Spirit no matter the trials we were passing through. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:12). We recognized we were in a spiritual conflict, and only divine aid could give us success and victory. The urgency of our praying increased. 1:30 P.M. became a welcome family worship time, and Eliora would remind us to pray.

We were all glad to confirm that “The oftener we engage in prayer, the closer our souls will be drawn into a sacred nearness to God . . . and the clouds and shadows which Satan casts about the soul will be dispelled by the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness” (In Heavenly Places, p. 89). The Holy Spirit came to our aid, and the enemy did not succeed in his plans. His agents were Eliora’s injury.
Eliora’s injury. exposed. Those who planned to hurt us and chase us from town were silenced by the head Imam. We can attest that “our earnest prayer will move the arm that moves the world.”

As we watched, waited and prayed, God’s providence and revelation guided us in the perplexities we met in our cultural studies and in developing our evangelism strategy. God even used our prayer life to lower Dendi cultural and religious barriers, and our Muslim friends began showing new interest in the gospel and Christianity. Most Muslims pray five times a day and do not view Christians as people of prayer. But as people visited our home and witnessed our family prayer time, they gained new insights into Christianity, which they valued and respected. As we heard their comments, we were moved and encouraged. Our conviction grew that we should go the extra mile in our prayer life. There was no doubt that our midday prayer time had enriched us spiritually and blessed our family. Thus, we decided to increase our daily family prayer times to seven. This would also be a challenge to our Muslim friends who saw Christianity as lukewarm and lacking in spirituality and prayer.

For several months now, our mobile phones and clocks around our house have chimed seven times a day, prompting us to go to our knees. The first prayer time at 4:30 a.m. and the last one at 10:30 p.m. are generally for Elmire and me, but we try as much as possible to have the other five together as a family.

We know that only “time will outline the beauty and grandeur of Heaven’s plan.” We thank God for His providence in our prayer life, which has brought our faith new credibility among our Muslim friends. Thanks for your prayers.

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