Speed of prayer is mostly governed by our ability to think. (or the quickness with which our minds eye can focus) as well as our willingness to concentrate on the locution (particular voice) of God.
It has been said, that the human mind can think at approximately 400 words per second when in an excited state, and doing some online research there was found a reliable site that states: “the speed of thought” is from 450-750 milliseconds to come to full understanding of a picture flashed in front of a test subject…
Wow that sounds faster then 400wps but is what it is …
No wonder we have little trouble multi-tasking during prayer …the thought of which, serves as a beautiful backdrop for communal or public prayer. having dozens (even hundreds and via mass-media maybe thousands or millions) of people all reciting the same scripture verses at the same time. (THREE CHEERS FOR MOTHER ANGELICA)
Each drawing from their own personal experiences of life and insights. Each minds eye locking in on different words-phrases, receiving different inklings from the Holy Spirit and simultaneously projecting the mental images of Glory, Honor, Faith, Praise, Thanksgiving, Intersession, Hope, LOVE, toward the object of all logical prayer, The Triune God.
Wow, what a collogue of beauty it must be when wrapped within the fragile vessel of humility. This old man, finds it near understandable how Our God can love His creation of humans, and be willing to so patiently await the return of some of us to His flock.
Yet it must be saddening beyond comprehension, what we do, when we will not humble ourselves and instead allow our thoughts to be of earthly desires, and waste those precious milliseconds, refusing or overlooking the opportunity to be part of such a cosmic happening.