Do you ever find yourself struggling to pray? Don’t know what to say or how to say it? Feel like your prayers aren’t working and God isn’t answering?
Prayer can be quite a struggle for many of us. But, why is prayer so hard and how can we improve?
“The man (or woman) who misses the deep meanings of prayer has not so much refused an obligation; he has robbed himself of life’s supreme privilege – friendship with God.” ~Harry Emerson Fosdick in The Meaning of Prayer
Let’s explore why we struggle with prayer and the one answer you need to radically improve and transform your prayer life!
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Why is Praying so Hard?
Do you struggle with prayer? Well, you’re not alone.
I’ve struggled with prayer for the better part of my life. I knew it was important but didn’t feel its connection to my life. I prayed because I was supposed to pray and I hoped it might help.
Even though I did pray, I didn’t feel its power and potency in my life.
I saw others, though, for whom prayer was essential and life-sustaining – and wondered what I was missing.
7 Reasons We Struggle With Prayer
Let’s take a quick look at 7 reasons we struggle with prayer. I’ve checked ‘yes’ to each of these at some point in my life.
Do any of these ring true to you today?
- We feel like failures at prayer and like God doesn’t answer our prayers.
- We place an emphasis on own power and work ethic to problem-solve and neglect to pray.
- We approach prayer like a child bringing a list to Santa and thus belittle the power of prayer.
- We value what God does more than we value who God is.
- We view prayer as an obligation (something we have to do), instead of a privilege (something we get to do).
- Because prayer is always available to us, we often don’t take the time to do it.
- We focus on results, not relationship, and so grow impatient when we don’t see immediate results.
Prayer Is About Relationship, Not Results
Do you see a trend in those seven statements? They speak to the focus of our prayers. Are we praying for results? Only praying when we need something? Or, are we using prayer as an opportunity to draw near to the Almighty and develop a relationship?
When we approach prayer as an opportunity to develop a relationship with God and to discover the depth of faith, prayer becomes an honor and a privilege – something we desire, instead of one more thing we are duty-bound to complete.
Prayer is not…
… An obligation, something we do to curry favor with God
… A “good luck charm” we call upon out of superstition
… Futile
… Just for Sundays at church
… Formal and empty
If your experience with prayer falls into any of these categories, how can you change it?
How can prayer become something more important in your life and in your faith?
How can you experience the life-changing power of prayer?
The One Solution When You’re Struggling to Pray
If you want to turn your prayer life around, and discover something truly powerful and transformational, pray for a relationship with God, not results from God.
Focus first on developing the relationship. Get to know God and share your life with him.
- Pray for a relationship with God.
- Pray for who God is.
- Pray for your eyes to be opened to the possibilities of a relationship with God.
- Pray for enlightenment in prayer.
- Pray for God’s strength and power to fill you.
- Pray for patience in the waiting.
- Pray prayers of thanksgiving and gratitude for how God loves you.
“The tragedy of the Church is to be found in the thousands who fondle their credal maps, on which are marked the roadways of God’s friendship, but who do not travel.” ~Harry Emerson Fosdick in The Meaning of Prayer
How Will You Pray Differently Now?
Are you holding the map to faith and friendship and God, but not embarking on the journey?
We have a loving, relational God who desires to know you personally.
He has shown us how to know him through the scriptures, yet too often we read but don’t act.
We study, but don’t take the steps.
We pray, but we don’t ask to know God personally.
Will you step forward into the journey of a relationship with God? Ask him today.
Ready to begin your prayer transformation? Spend 40 days praying through the Lord’s Prayer. You’ll not only learn to pray this most familiar prayer with fresh eyes, but you’ll also build your prayer language and spend time deepening your relationship with God. Click here to learn more.
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Kathie says
Kathryn, I truly appreciate your emails. I would like to get the 40 days of prayers, but maybe $15 doesn’t seem much, but to me it is. Couple days ago you had another $15 offer I would have liked also, but just could not afford. Now this one, would total $30. I’m sure what you do cost money and your time, and I wish I could afford to get your materials, but at this season of my life it’s not possible.?
Judy says
Kathie, I echo your feelings on finding the materials here unaffordable. Like many other older couples, we’ve found ourselves facing some unforeseen financial challenges, we’ve had to cut or reduce any “extra” spending.
Kathryn, do you ever offer materials/books at sale prices? I’d love the chance to make a purchase (at a reduced price) from your wide variety of offerings. Peace be with you both, Kathie and Kathryn
Kathryn says
Judy – I do have a lot of free resources available. Most of what’s listed in the ‘store’ are free studies and resource guides. (//www.prayerandpossibilities.com/store/). I do have some sales throughout the year. I try to offer as much for free as possible, while still keeping this site going. Check out the Trusting God study – it has a free version and is one of my favorites!
Kathryn says
Kathie – I’m sorry these studies are out of reach in this season – and completely understand. I do try to offer as much as possible for free and have been trying to add free versions to the newer studies (like Trusting God). Many of the items listed in the ‘store’ are free. Maybe some of these will be helpful for you (//www.prayerandpossibilities.com/store/)
Lana Mimes says
Thank you very much for this amazing solution. Ive never thought of prayer this way. But this has opened my eyes and my heart to a whole new way to pray and even more important is why to pray. To have a more personal relationship with our savior. Thank you so much!!
Kathryn says
Lana – I’m so glad this has opened your eyes and heart to shifting your prayer focus. This one change was transformational in my own prayer life and I pray it will help you grow even closer to Christ!
Sheena Donald says
Kathryn, is it possible to mail your publications to Scotland U.K. If so can you give an estimate of the mailing cost?
Blessings
Sheena.