God created everything about our bodies and He created all the materials that we use when we are in the bathroom, so yes we can pray while we are in the bathroom and using the facilities.
In the Garden, when God created Adam and Eve, He made them completely pure and innocent. They worked in the Garden completely naked and they didn’t even fully comprehend that they were naked.
“Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” (Genesis 2:15)
“And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” (Genesis 2:25)
They not only worked in the Garden but they also communed with the Lord completely naked as well.
“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.” (Genesis 3:8
Judging by the reaction of Adam and Eve we can conclude that this must have been a common thing for God to come and spend time with them in the Garden of Eden, or else they would have never hid themselves.
This is critical to understand when discovering whether we can pray while in the bathroom. Because If God was willing to spend time with Adam and Eve while they were naked then it must not bother Him very much if we are taking a shower or pooping on the toilet while we speak with Him.
He is after all the God who created everything and He has made it abundantly clear in His word that He desires to have a relationship with us that is not hindered by such things.
In fact, the realization of being naked and feeling ashamed for it came from the fall (Genesis 3:7) it was never meant to be an issue for us with one another, or with us and God.
Now of course, we are still in a fallen world with unrenewed minds so by no means should we be naked while we are in public thinking we’re okay because we believe in Jesus. This is reserved only for married couples.
The days of being naked on this earth and on the next one are long gone.
As soon as Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree nakedness in public is gone. We see this in Revelation that the Saints on the new heaven and new earth are clothed with robes (Revelation 6:11) they are not naked.
Nevertheless, God knows and sees all things and He has created our bodies. He desires fellowship with us. It is not a hindrance for Him if you talk with Him while you shower or use the bathroom.
Jesus also said something very important to mention that can be applied to this question in John chapter 4.
“Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father…But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24)
Jesus told the Samaritan woman that it did not matter where she worshipped but that she became a true worshipper by worshipping the Father in Spirit and in truth.
To worship in truth is simply to worship in faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross and to worship with a sincere heart. To worship in Spirit is to worship with the Holy Spirit. (Related article: Worship in Spirit & Truth: What it is & How to do it).
It does not matter where, when, or in what posture we worship the Lord. Spirit and truth are the Lord’s only requirements.
Is it okay to pray while doing other things?
All believers in Christ can pray whenever and wherever. It does not matter what we are doing while we pray. In fact, we are commanded by scripture to pray at all times and to pray without ceasing. However, our prayer life should always include private prayer with the Lord.
There are two aspects to our prayer life: private prayer and public prayer. We should have both functioning in our life to have a healthy prayer life. (Related article: Dwelling in the Secret Place: What it is and How to do it)
Jesus told all of His disciples, “When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:6)
Now in the above section, I said the only requirements that the Lord placed on His followers for worship are Spirit and truth. This aspect of private praying fits into both categories.
When we pray in secret we are praying sincerely without the need to be seen by people- this is the truth category. When we pray in secret we are praying with the Spirit of God because Jesus promises that the Father is in the secret place- this is the Spirit category.
So private prayer is extremely important to our prayer life. It is similar to being married. You can be with each other around friends, family, and your children, but you need alone time to really grow your relationship.
The other aspect of prayer that is just as important as the first is public prayer.
Of course, we are to pray with other followers of Jesus and with our families. But what I am referring to when I say praying in public is maintaining a sense of fellowship with God as we go throughout our day.
The same Bible that commands us to pray in secret is the same Bible that commands us to pray without ceasing and to pray at all times.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 5:18). The NASB translation says, “pray at all times in the Spirit.”
It would be impossible to pray at all times and not be doing something else at the same time. We should pray as we drive, as we do laundry, shower, take out the trash, mow the lawn, do the dishes, etc.
Prayer is meant to be a lifestyle. We are exhorted by scripture to devote ourselves to it, not visit it. This means praying while we do other things and it means taking the time to pray in a secret place.
I hope you enjoyed this article and that it assisted you in your walk with God.
Here are some articles you may enjoy on prayer:
Can You Pray with Your Eyes Open? (Biblical Answer)
Can You Pray Lying Down/On Your Bed? (Christian Answer)
How to Pray in the Spirit at all times
How to Enter God’s Presence (Step-by-Step Guide)
God bless you all and enjoy!
