The power of prayer: 10 Prayer Warriors Who Prayed for Hours Each Day

Have you ever wondered what set apart some of the greatest spiritual leaders in history—those who shook the world with their faith and brought about massive revivals?

As I’ve studied their lives, I keep coming back to one undeniable truth: these people were devoted to prayer.

Not just a quick prayer before meals or a casual conversation with God on their way to work. No, these men and women spent hours every day in prayer. Their lives were rooted in consistent, intentional time with God, and that’s what made all the difference.

In a culture where it feels like we barely have time to breathe, the idea of praying for hours a day sounds almost impossible.

But these Christian leaders understood something crucial: prayer is the engine that drives everything else. When we commit to deepening our prayer lives, we position ourselves to be used by God in ways we can’t even imagine.

10 examples of Christian prayer warriors who prayed for hours daily

1. John Wesley: Two Hours of Morning Prayer

John Wesley was a man of discipline. Known as the founder of Methodism, Wesley made prayer a central part of his daily routine, dedicating two hours every morning to it. He didn’t believe ministry could be effective without it, and he modeled that for others. Wesley’s prayer life laid the foundation for a movement that transformed England and spread across the world. For him, prayer wasn’t an obligation; it was the fuel that kept the fire of revival burning.

2. Martin Luther: “I Have So Much to Do That I Shall Spend Three Hours in Prayer”

Martin Luther’s prayer life was deeply intertwined with his work. As one of the key figures of the Protestant Reformation, Luther carried an enormous burden, yet his response to a busy life wasn’t to cut down on prayer—it was to increase it. He famously said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Luther recognized that the more he had to accomplish, the more time he needed to spend in communion with God. His boldness and courage didn’t come from his personality but from his time with God.

3. David Yonggi Cho: Three to Five Hours Daily

David Yonggi Cho, the founder of the world’s largest church, took prayer seriously. In fact, he would often spend three to five hours daily in prayer during his ministry in South Korea. His church grew to over a million members, but Cho always emphasized that the church’s success wasn’t because of him—it was because of prayer. Cho’s story is a reminder that God moves through those who seek Him with all their hearts.

4. Rees Howells: Nights in Prayer for Global Impact

If anyone demonstrated the power of intercession, it was Rees Howells. During World War II, Howells and his group of intercessors believed their prayers were instrumental in changing the tide of the war. They would spend entire nights in prayer, contending for the world. Howells’ life is a powerful reminder that prayer isn’t just for personal needs—it can literally change the course of history.

5. Charles Finney: Hours of Prayer Before Revivals

Charles Finney, one of the leading figures in the Second Great Awakening, believed that revival was birthed in prayer. Before his meetings, Finney would often spend hours in prayer, sometimes even the entire night, asking God to move in powerful ways. His belief was simple: no prayer, no power. Finney’s ministry saw tens of thousands come to faith, and it was all undergirded by prayer.

6. Mother Teresa: Two Hours of Daily Prayer

Mother Teresa was one of the most well-known servants of the poor, but what many don’t know is how central prayer was to her life. She structured her entire day around it, starting with two hours of prayer every morning before she went out to serve the poorest of the poor. She would also end her day in prayer. Her life shows us that no matter how busy we are, there’s always time to make prayer a priority.

7. Smith Wigglesworth: Praying Every 30 Minutes

Smith Wigglesworth, known for his healing ministry, took a slightly different approach to prayer. He didn’t necessarily pray for long periods at once, but he was known for praying every 30 minutes throughout the day. Wigglesworth believed that constant communication with God was the key to maintaining spiritual power. His life is a testimony to how even short, frequent prayers can keep us in tune with the Holy Spirit.

8. John Hyde: Hours of Prayer Before Ministry

John Hyde, also known as “Praying Hyde,” was a missionary to India who made prayer his life’s work. He would spend hours in prayer, often into the night, before his meetings. Hyde’s intercession was known for being so intense that it had a profound spiritual impact wherever he ministered. His story reminds us that prayer isn’t just preparation for ministry—it is the ministry.

9. John Welch: Seven to Eight Hours Daily

John Welch, a Scottish preacher, had one of the most extraordinary prayer lives on record. He spent seven to eight hours a day in prayer. His wife often found him in the middle of the night, weeping for the souls of his congregation. Welch’s life is a testimony to the power of sustained prayer over a long period of time.

10. Susanna Wesley: Two Hours a Day

Susanna Wesley raised ten children, two of whom were John and Charles Wesley, who went on to lead the Methodist revival. Despite her incredibly busy life, Susanna made a habit of spending two hours every day in prayer. She would pull her apron over her head to create a prayer “closet,” signaling to her children that it was her time with God. Her story is proof that no matter how chaotic life gets, we can still make space for prayer .

What These Lives Teach Us About Prayer

So, what do these prayer warriors have in common?

They were all used mightily by God, and they all had deep, consistent prayer lives. Whether it was John Wesley starting his day with two hours of prayer or Rees Howells interceding through the night, these men and women knew that nothing significant happens without prayer.

It’s easy to feel like we don’t have time to pray, especially in our insanely fast-paced world. But if these giants of the faith made time for prayer—often hours each day—what’s stopping us?

The truth is, prayer isn’t an add-on to the Christian life; it’s the foundation.

It’s where we meet God, get direction, and are filled with the power to do what He’s called us to do.

If we want to see God move in our lives, we have to make prayer a priority.

Whether that means waking up a little earlier, finding quiet moments in the day, or carving out intentional time at night, it’s worth it. After all, prayer is where God shapes us and prepares us for the work He’s called us to do. And as the lives of these spiritual giants show us, when we commit to prayer, God can—and will—do extraordinary things through us.

And I’ll leave you with a quote I have had hanging on my walls for years: