As Christians, we all struggle at some point to pray. We know that we should pray, but we sometimes don’t feel like it. Sometimes, we feel more compelled to do other things, like watching our favorite shows, doing our hobbies, talking to a friend, etc. We are enthusiastic about those things, yet we feel otherwise when it comes to prayer. The good thing is that there is grace, and the fact that it is a struggle means that we care about our prayer life and want to work on it. That in itself is already a good start.
Heavenly Father, help me be humble and acknowledge that I am struggling with my prayer life. I ask You for the help and grace I need to be faithful in it, not by my own strength, but by Your grace and Spirit. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
How To Pray When You Don’t Feel Like Praying
Why Should You Keep On Praying?
For us to be zealous and motivated to pray, even when we don’t feel like praying, it is good to remind ourselves of the essential truths of why we should keep on praying and push ourselves if we don’t feel like doing it. For example, if a group of soldiers loses their morale before they enter a battle, their superior officer will give a speech reminding the soldiers what they are fighting for so they can become zealous again.
The first truth is that God commands us to pray. In Philippians 4:6-7, we are instructed to present our prayer requests to God. In fact, among many things that Jesus could have taught His disciples, as the disciples asked Jesus many possible questions, they asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, so Jesus taught them. As Jesus taught, He used the words “and when we pray,” implying that we are expected to pray.
The second truth is that praying to God and calling Him Father is a privilege. Even in the Old Testament, we never see any reference to Israelites calling God “Father.” We see them calling God many names, like Jehovah Rappha, El Shaddai, Yahweh, and many others. It is only when Jesus came and started calling God His Father that such a relationship was established. That is one of the reasons why the Pharisees were angry with Him. No one can call Yahweh their Father. However, in Christ we can, in line with what He has done for us on the cross. From being sinners who were enemies of God, as written in Romans 5:10, we become His children (For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Romans 8:15).
How To Pray When You Don’t Feel Like Praying
Knowing the grace and mercy that the Father has shown us through the person and work of Christ, we see that we are His children by grace alone. That love causes us to love God, for we can only love because He loved us first, as written in 1 John 4:19. This happens when we pray out of love for God, despite it being a commandment, and not out of any sense of obligation towards our gracious and merciful Father.
Also, we must understand that prayer is essential in our lives and growth as Christians. It is how we receive grace from God. For example, if we need the grace to grow more in our knowledge of God, in holiness, in fruitfulness in the ministry, and grace to have the strength to persevere, how can we expect to have those if we don’t pray? Prayer is essential to our life because it enables us to commune with God and receive His grace.
How Can You Push Yourself To Pray?
We push ourselves to pray by reminding ourselves that prayer is essential for knowing more about who God is. Suppose we want to be zealous and passionate about the things of God, including praying. In that case, it is through knowing Him more and seeing His glory that our affections for Him are drawn out, allowing us to become zealous and passionate, even when it comes to praying.
For example, let’s say that you have met a person. At first, your desire to talk more to the person is not high, but once you get to know more about them, there are things you discover that cause you to extend the conversation. The same analogy applies when we know more about God. The more we know about God, the more we are inclined to pray to Him with zeal and passion. Perhaps a good starting prayer is for God’s grace to help you know more about Him and have the discipline to get to know Him by reading His Word and seeing His glory.
Heavenly Father, show me Your glory, the wonders of who You are, and how beautiful, magnificent, and splendid You are. Give me the discipline to know You more and more by constantly reading Your Word and opening my eyes so that I may behold Your character. May knowing who You are continue to stir up zeal in me whenever I don’t feel like praying. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
How To Pray When You Don’t Feel Like Praying
It takes humility and a request to God for help when you are struggling with your prayer life. That is also where the church community comes in, where godly men and women shall encourage and help you as you seek to have a better prayer life with God. That is something you don’t accomplish alone but with fellow believers in the faith. Hence, being part of a church community is also essential.