Christian Hub 1 year ago

Overcoming the Struggle with Prayer: Practical Steps for Christians

What to Do When You Don’t Want to Pray

Prayer is one of the most essential aspects of the Christian life. It is through prayer that we communicate with God, seek His guidance and direction, and express our gratitude and praise. Unfortunately, many Christians struggle with prayer, finding it difficult to make it a consistent and meaningful part of their daily routine. If you’re one of those struggling with prayer, you’re not alone.

The Struggle with Prayer

Many Christians struggle with prayer, not just the new believers or those who are weak in faith. The great men and women of faith in the Bible also struggled with prayer. Moses, for example, struggled with prayer when he cried out to God, “Why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all” (Exodus 5:22-23, NIV).

Similarly, Elijah struggled with prayer when he asked God to take his life after he fled from Jezebel, “I have had enough, Lord… Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors” (1 Kings 19:4, NIV).

Even Jesus’ disciples struggled with prayer. When Jesus asked them to stay and pray with Him in the garden of Gethsemane, they fell asleep, unable to keep watch with Him for even an hour (Matthew 26:40).

The Reasons We Don’t Want to Pray

There are many reasons why we don’t want to pray. Some of the most common reasons include:

Busyness

We live in a fast-paced world where we are constantly on the go, juggling multiple responsibilities and commitments. As a result, we often don’t have the time or energy to devote to prayer.

Distractions

We live in a world full of distractions, from social media and entertainment to our own thoughts and worries. These distractions can make it difficult to focus on prayer and connect with God.

Unbelief

At times, we struggle with unbelief and doubt God’s ability or willingness to answer our prayers. This can make it difficult to pray with faith and confidence.

Guilt

Many Christians struggle with guilt when it comes to prayer. We feel guilty for not praying enough, for not praying the right way, or for not having a strong enough faith.

Weariness

Life can be exhausting, and sometimes we just feel too tired or overwhelmed to pray. We may feel like we don’t have the strength or energy to come to God in prayer.

What to Do When You Don’t Want to Pray

If you find yourself struggling to pray, here are some practical steps you can take:

1. Recognize Your Need for Prayer

The first step in overcoming your struggle with prayer is to recognize your need for it. Prayer is not just an optional extra for the Christian life; it is an essential part of our relationship with God. As Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NIV).

2. Make It a Priority

If you’re struggling to find time for prayer, make it a priority. Set aside a specific time each day to pray, and make it a non-negotiable part of your schedule. You may need to wake up earlier, go to bed later, or cut back on other commitments to make time for prayer.

3. Eliminate Distractions

One of the biggest obstacles to prayer is distractions. To overcome this, try to eliminate as many distractions as possible. Find a quiet place to pray, turn off your phone and other devices, and write down any distracting thoughts or worries so you can deal with them later.

4. Pray with Others

Praying with others can be a great way to overcome your struggle with prayer. Find a prayer partner or join a prayer group at your church. Praying with others can provide accountability, encouragement, and support.

5. Pray Scripture

Praying Scripture is a powerful way to connect with God and overcome your struggle with prayer. Choose a passage of Scripture and use it to guide your prayer time. Pray the promises of God’s Word back to Him and ask for His guidance and direction.

6. Start Small

If you’re struggling to make prayer a consistent part of your routine, start small. Begin with just a few minutes of prayer each day and gradually increase the amount of time you spend in prayer. Remember, it’s not the quantity of your prayer that matters; it’s the quality.

Conclusion

Prayer can be difficult, but it’s an essential part of the Christian life. If you find yourself struggling with prayer, recognize your need for it, make it a priority, eliminate distractions, pray with others, pray Scripture, and start small. Most importantly, remember that prayer is not about getting what we want from God; it’s about deepening our relationship with Him and aligning our hearts with His will. As we pray, may we grow in our love and devotion to God, trusting in His goodness, faithfulness, and love.