Discipline of prayer (Christianity)

Although the life of prayer has been derided as lacking in activity, the most active of religious leaders have systematically devoted much time to prayer, considering it the main business of their lives. Examples are Martin Luther and John Wesley, who both spent several hours a day in prayer. Like all disciplines, prayer must be learned and practised. The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. There is a realization that the universe is not so fixed as to be unchangeable and a conviction that that which is prayed for is the will of God. Learning takes place in practice until what started as verbal request becomes silent listening. Eventually prayer may accompany and infuse all activity. Although answered petitions may be dismissed as coincidence, it has been said (William Temple) that coincidences occur more frequently when one prays.