Short

Some examples of prayers or commands of divine authority that weren't very long but obtained nice results could be something for us to consider.

Moses to the Lord: "Please, show me Your glory." Exodus 33:18

The Lord's response?

Then He said, "I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." Exodus 33:19

Moses to the Lord on behalf of his sister, Miriam: "Heal her now, O God." Numbers 12:13

The Lord's reply?

"If her father had only spit in her face, would she not have been disgraced for seven days? Shut her out from the camp seven days, and afterward she can be brought back in again." Numbers 12:14

The Lord Jesus Christ's short commands to demons --

"Go." Matthew 8:32

What happened?

And they [demons] came out and went into the pigs; and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. And the herdsmen ran away, and went to the city and reported everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Matthew 8:32-33

"You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again!" Mark 9:25

What happened?

And after crying out and throwing him into terrible convulsions, it came out; and the boy became so much like a corpse that most of them said, "He is dead!" But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him, and he got up. Mark 9:26-27

The Savior's quick commands to the bodies or people themselves who needed healing --

"Ephphatha!" [Be opened] Mark 7:34

What happened?

And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was removed, and he began speaking plainly. Mark 7:35

"Talitha, cumi." [Little girl, I say to you, arise.] Mark 5:41

What happened?

Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. Mark 5:42

"Go, wash in the pool of Siloam." John 9:7

What happened?

So he [blind man from birth John 9:1] went and washed, and came back seeing.

Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, "Is not this he who sat and begged?"

Some said, "This is he." Others said, "He is like him."

He said, "I am he." John 9:7-9

"Go your way; your son lives." John 4:50

What happened?

So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, "Your son lives!"

Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him."

So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, "Your son lives." And he himself believed, and his whole household. John 4:50-53

"Go, show yourselves [10 men who had leprosy] to the priests." Luke 17:14

What happened?

And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His [Jesus] feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.

So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?"

And He said to him, "Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well." Luke 17:14-19

"Rise, take up your bed and walk." John 5:8

What happened?

And immediately the man [ill for thirty-eight years John 5:5] was made well, took up his bed, and walked. John 5:9

"I am willing; be cleansed." Mark 1:44

What happened?

As soon as He [Jesus] had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. Mark 1:42

"It shall be done for you according to your faith." Matthew 9:29

What happened?

And their [2 blind men Matthew 9:27] eyes were opened. Matthew 9:30

Paul's short sentence to a demon in a person --

"I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!" Acts 16:18

What happened?

And it [demon of divination Acts 16:16] came out at that very moment. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was suddenly gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. Acts 16:18-19

Peter's 2 words to a dead person named Tabitha (Dorcas) -- Acts 9:36-37

"Tabitha, arise." Acts 9:40

What happened?

And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. Acts 9:40-41

Peter's plea to Jesus when the disciple walked on water to the Lord -- Matthew 14:28-29

"Lord, save me!" Matthew 14:30

What happened?

Immediately Jesus reached out with His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" Matthew 14:31

A tax collector's humble request -- Luke 18:13

"God, be merciful to me a sinner!" Luke 18:13

What happened?

"I [Jesus] tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:14

The Preacher wrote, Do not be quick with your mouth or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 1:1; 5:2

Jesus said that non-believers think that their prayers will be heard if they use lots of words. Believers aren't to be like them because "your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." Matthew 6:7-8

In a meeting, a preacher guided those in attendance to pray for each other and said, "See how short your prayers can be and still get results."

There are instances of long, authentic prayers in the Bible such as Solomon's 1 Kings 8:22-53 and Jesus'. John 17:1-26

Perhaps we can understand that prayer is more than to make requests for food, drink, and clothing Matthew 6:25, 31-32 and favor to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

It can involve several types of prayer 1 Timothy 2:1-2 that may take some time until we believe that it's enough. Mark 14:39-41

Isn't there also the privilege of having fellowship with the Father and Son 1 John 1:3 through the Holy Spirit? Ephesians 2:18

A danger of long prayers is that we may want to be seen by others --

Jesus said, "They [teachers of the Law of Moses] Mark 12:38 devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely." Mark 12:40

Jesus said, "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full." Matthew 6:5

Do you think it might be true in some situations that if we pray in faith Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:24; James 5:14-15 it doesn't need to be for long, if we truly believe?

Your thoughts?

R. Jason