3:00 a.m. in the morning is when Jesus prays, why?

Question

A second question to my first about 3:00 a.m. I thought about this before when I saw this book in a Christian catalog. There is a meaning behind this. It has been on my mind since last night when I posted my 1st. question. A Jewish man name Perry Stone have written a book about this (I didn't buy it but was curious about it). This is what it says on his web site: 3:00 in the Morning-"Tapping into the Spirit world" (that is the title of the book). It continues: Have you ever awoke at 3:00 a.m. unable to return to sleep? Did you know that 3:00 a.m. is the beginning of the Biblical 4th watch of the night and the time that Jesus would pray? What is the spiritual meaning and mystery about 3:00 o'clock in the morning?
You see here, it has to do with a reason and I don't know why? Please anyone that knows can you fill us in? Anyone read that book? Sometimes I wake up at that time but I don't feel like Jesus is telling me to pray? Should we pray if we wake up at 3:00 a.m.?

Hello everybody. I am not interested in doing anything of the black world or the likes of it. God have mercy! All I want to know is WHY in Jewish faith they acknowledge 3:00 a.m. morning to pray!

Answer 1

Jesus praying: (I did a bible search on the word "pray")

On the mountain (daytime, turns to night)
..Mat 14:23 (finished before the 4th watch, Mat 14:25)
..Mar 6:46 (ditto, Mar 6:48)

Jesus prays over the children (daytime)
..Mat 19:13-15

Garden of Gethsemane
..Mat 36-46 (night)
..Mar 14:32-42 (night)
..Luk 22:39-46 (night implied)

After his baptism, in Galilee
..Mar 1:35 (early morning, still dark, so 3rd or 4th watch)

During his baptism
..Luk 3:21-22 (daytime)

In the wilderness
..Luk 5:15-16 (no time given)

Before choosing apostles
..Luk 6:12 (the entire night)

After feeding the 5000
..Luk 9:18 (no time given)

Transfiguration
..Luk 9:20 (no time given)

Lord's prayer
..Luk 11:1 (no time given)

These are all the examples I could find with a bible software program. Although there are times when he prays throughout the night, there is no instance of him waking at the 4th watch to pray or praying specifically during the 4th watch. Indeed, the *only* two times the 4th watch is mentioned in the gospels or Acts is when Jesus is walking on water, "about" the 4th watch, *after* praying. According to the HarperCollins bible Dictionary, "4th watch" is a Roman (not Jewish) term used to refer to the last quarter of the night. It seems that the authors of Mark and Matthew had adopted this system, and possibly it was common among the Jews at that time.

Conclusion: there is no biblical evidence that Jesus had a predilection for praying at 3 AM. There is no evidence that he preferred to pray during the 4th watch (about 3 AM to 6 AM), but it is likely that he prayed a lot at night because he was hounded by those thirsty for the word of God during the day. Look at this also:
Act 3:1
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer.

This is about 3 PM, probably a traditional Jewish hour of prayer, which the apostles performed.

Act 10:9
And on the next day, as they were on their way, and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray.

This is about noon.

Act 16:25
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;

1Th 5:17
pray without ceasing;

Paul may have meant for praying to be maintained in the Church at all times (by rotation), or he may have meant that we pray at every opportunity. The next verse:
"in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
makes me think that he wants us to pray (silently, when in public) at every opportunity.

I would say that, *ideally*, we *should* say at least a short prayer if we wake up at 3 AM. I don't think that you should get up, get on your knees, and disturb your sleep (and possibly your health) in order to make an effort to pray. Of course, *if* you believe that this is especially beneficial, there is nothing wrong with that belief. It simply does not seem to be a biblical teaching.

I hope this helps.

Jim

Answer 2

I always awake around 3 AM, but umm.... actually It is when Jesus was tempted of the devil in the book of Matthew Ch. 4 (I Think??...?) not sure if that was when but it would make sense. Also 3 AM is NOT a holy hour. It is however the bewitching hour. This is because at 3 pm is when Jesus was crucified. What I would suggest you do is an EVP (Electronic Voice Phenom) or something to tap into the spirit world at 3 AM, if you wanna get freaked out of your mind try a oujia board. I pray when I Wake up at 3, and Im assemblies of God, not even close to catholic, because if I dont I will be tepmted like never before. The main reason 3 AM is so significant is because it is the bewitching hour and the polar opposite of when Jesus was crucified, sometimes hanging crosses will turn upside down at 3 AM (from stories I hear) however if you try praying around 3 pm it feels very securing. Especially if you remember calvary.

Answer 3

Jesus prayed at different hours of the day, but 3:00 am is the time to pray if you are awake. Much mischief is done at night and nighttime places close at 2:00 am when people are not sober. Pray for those you love for their safety if by any reason they are out at this hour.

Answer 4

Ever seen that movie The Exorcism Of Emily Rose? According to the Catholic faith (this is an element in the movie), 3 am is the inversion of the accepted time of Christ's death on the cross, 3 pm. Supposedly that's when the spirit world is most active. No idea whether or not that's really true, but this is the knowledge i have of what people believe about it. But back to the movie, nearly every key event in it happens at 3am. It does have a really good ending, though, with a great message. Even though I'm not Catholic, I enjoyed it.

Guys, this person is talking about in the garden of gethsemane, before he was betrayed

Answer 5

Well the jewish day began about 6 pm Jesus had the last supper begining the day 14 after sunset in the night he went to Getsemani to spend ours praying also he died friday about 3:00 pm according to the bible. but I dont know if it has any special but maybe the quiet helps to pray much better.

Answer 6

I don't think there is anything significant about that time. It sounds more like a ritualistic approach that I don't remember reading about in the bible. If you feel like praying, do so, you might pray that you'll be able to go back to sleep before you have to get up for work! (I hate those nights when I can't go back to sleep.)

Answer 7

There is something about 3:00 AM. It's too early and it's too late. I can't define it. It's when people normally are asleep and what am I doing awake? It's a lonely time of the morning.

Answer 8

I'd like to see the scriptural substantiation for the 3:00 in the morning idea. This is more crazy fundamentalist bunk.

Answer 9

3am was also called "the witching hour" in medieval societies because it was believed that the barrier between the spirit and material worlds was at its thinnest from 2:30-3:30am.

i believe, however, that it all sounds like a bunch of hogwash.

Answer 10

Winter solstice on a saturday 3A.M. Holyist time in the year. Meditate and become an angel.