Overcoming Lies that Hinder Prayer: Prioritizing, Worthiness, God's Listening,

Overcoming the Four Lies that Keep Us from Prayer

Prayer is an indispensable part of our Christian walk. It is the lifeline that keeps us connected to God, and without it, we cannot grow spiritually. Yet, many believers struggle to pray consistently. Often, we find ourselves struggling with different reasons and excuses that keep us from engaging in prayer. These reasons are often disguised as legitimate concerns, but in reality, they are lies that keep us from experiencing the fullness of God's presence.

The First Lie: "I Don't Have Time to Pray"

The first lie that keeps us from prayer is the belief that we don't have time to pray. In today's fast-paced world, we are often busy with work, school, family, and other commitments. It's easy to feel like we don't have enough time to pray. However, the truth is that we make time for what we prioritize. If we truly prioritize prayer, we will make time for it.

Jesus, who had a busy schedule, made time for prayer. He often withdrew to a solitary place to pray (Mark 1:35). If Jesus, who had a massive following, could make time for prayer, then so can we.

We can start by setting aside a specific time for prayer each day. It doesn't have to be a long time, but it should be consistent. We can also pray while doing other activities such as driving, cooking, or exercising. Prayer doesn't have to be limited to a specific time or place. We can pray throughout the day, as the Holy Spirit leads us.

The Second Lie: "I'm Not Worthy to Pray"

The second lie that keeps us from prayer is the belief that we are not worthy to pray. This lie is rooted in the misconception that we have to be perfect to approach God in prayer. However, the truth is that we come to God in prayer just as we are, with all our imperfections and weaknesses.

The Bible assures us that we can come boldly to the throne of grace to find mercy and grace in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). We don't have to clean ourselves up before we come to God. Instead, we can come to Him in our brokenness and allow Him to heal us and make us whole.

When we feel unworthy to pray, we can remember the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. The son had squandered his inheritance and had nowhere else to turn. However, when he returned to his father, the father welcomed him with open arms and threw a party to celebrate his return. This story reminds us that no matter how far we've strayed from God, we can always come back to Him in prayer, and He will welcome us with open arms.

The Third Lie: "God Doesn't Hear My Prayers"

The third lie that keeps us from prayer is the belief that God doesn't hear our prayers. This lie is often rooted in unanswered prayers or the feeling that our prayers are not making a difference. However, the truth is that God hears every prayer we pray, and He answers in His perfect timing and according to His will.

Jesus assures us that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us (1 John 5:14). This means that even if we don't see the answer to our prayers immediately, we can trust that God is working behind the scenes and that His timing is perfect. We can also take comfort in the fact that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we don't know what to pray (Romans 8:26).

When we feel like our prayers are not making a difference, we can remember the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 18. Elijah prayed for rain during a severe drought, and God answered his prayer by sending rain. This story reminds us that our prayers have power, and we should never give up on praying.

The Fourth Lie: "I Can Handle Everything on My Own"

The fourth lie that keeps us from prayer is the belief that we can handle everything on our own. This lie is often rooted in pride, the feeling that we don't need God's help or that we can figure things out on our own. However, the truth is that we are weak, and we need God's strength to make it through life's challenges.

Jesus reminds us that apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). We need Him to sustain us, guide us, and empower us to live the Christian life. When we try to handle everything on our own, we end up feeling overwhelmed and burnt out.

We can overcome this lie by acknowledging our need for God's help and surrendering our lives to Him. We can pray for wisdom, guidance, and strength to face life's challenges. We can also ask others to pray for us and support us in our walk with God.

Conclusion

Prayer is not an option for the Christian; it is a necessity. We need prayer to grow in our relationship with God and to overcome the lies that keep us from experiencing His fullness. As we prioritize prayer, come to God just as we are, trust in His faithfulness, and surrender our lives to Him, we will see the power of prayer in our lives.

Let us, therefore, not allow these lies to keep us from prayer but let us overcome them by faith and trust in God's promises. As we do so, we will experience the joy and peace that come from a life of prayer.