Why We Struggle with Prayer

Do you struggle with prayer?
From my personal experiences and studies, it seems that most Christians are engaged in an escalating personal, moral and spiritual battle. We quickly think this is all about spiritual warfare, but that is not all of it. We are in a fight with our very selves over prayer and the growth of our souls.
We are in a war between what we think is important, what we desire, and what God says is important, or what we should desire. Thus, prayer is pushed aside even when we know we need it. Prayer is a conflict for us because, although we need it, we either forget it or do not desire it.
This is from our sinful nature even though we are in Christ. Romans 7:14-15 says:
“For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”
We struggle in prayer against the ways of the world. However, prayer is not just about our own needs. It is about putting our lives and experiences into God’s hands, sharing our days with him, both in times of urgency and times of happiness and bringing others to our thoughts.
Continual and effective prayer builds our relationship with God. Through prayer, we realize that he is in charge of all that happens in our lives, and that we are in his hands.
So we need to ask ourselves, why is it so hard for us to pray?
What keeps me from praying more? Why is it hard to pray when so many Christians have experienced its benefits?
Prayer clears and occupies the field for the planting and harvest of our Christian life, and prepares us for action and service. The wondrous news is that Christ has given us power in his name over all the power of the Enemy. Yes, the devil still can persuade and manipulate, but we can resist his influences, (1 Peter 5:8-9) and more significantly, our prayer life protects us from his assaults (Matt. 6:13; Eph. 6:14-20).
God has given us the tools of prayer and spiritual growth so we can win the war. This is nothing new: read any biography of great Christian leaders and saints, and you will see that they were incredible prayer warriors. They, too, struggled on the inner battlefield, fighting out these issues of righteousness and redemption (Luke 10:17-20; Col. 1:l3; Heb. 2:14-15).
If we persevere, the conflict with our desires will help us grow. To grow means to be steadfast in faith and in Christ, by pursuing holy living and deepening our relationship with Christ in prayer. We are called to learn as much as we can about our Lord and apply it wholeheartedly into our lives. This is in contrast to the arrogance, pretension and pseudo-growth we foster when we do not pray, because we do not make the time or the right attitude.
When we Christians refuse to pray, we give the battle over to Satan and we become hypocrites who know little. By contrast, growing through our prayer times is an ongoing experience that should never stop. It is not enough to know; we are also called to do. In conjunction, our persistence to know him and his word prevents our fears and setbacks from getting a hold on us or our church (2 Peter 1:2-3).
Prayer is often a struggle, but we must obey and pursue it in order to know and follow God. Take some time today to pray, and remind yourself to do so often, if even for a moment.
Check out an earlier post by Dr. Richard here.
In some instances, it’s all about pride and we’re unable to humble ourselves to ask the Lord for the help we need.
This is an excellent symnopsis,hope i spelled that right, but of what is going on with me.However whatever good happens in my life i give God the glory.I will pray earnestly and i have seen many of my prayers being answered.However that is with others.I have gotten a few answered for myself however my behaviour is what need correction so much.I will confess everynite saying to the Lord please forgive me for basically my temper i can fly off the handle to easily.This is one i really need to be answered and i know it is me that has to do it only by the grace of God can i do it.I keep praying for more grace and each day it just happens again.However there are a few days here and there i find myself being able to control it.So i am assuming that that’s how it works.a day here and day there and prayersfully eventually never.
Excellent writing and segmant to pick to focus on.Thank you so much.
To whomever has done this writing i commend you for by the grace of God being obeidient and putting it on here to show all who would read.
May God Bless
Trish
We have to be presistant in our prayers. Keep the going and know that God wants to know how much you are praying…..
Yes so very true
More important than we think! And more powerful than we know!
Amen
God don’t answer prayers unheard,and a closed mouth won’t get fed.
AMEN PRAYERS FOR ALL THE ILL SENIORS CHILDREN PLEASE KEEP ALL SAFE
thnk u!
Sometimes when I am so tired – but I have to at least say “Thank You” to the Lord for loving us so much – or just hold The Holy Bible next to me… So much peace is in just laying my hand on God’s Holy Words – there is no one like Him
Today
Today…..Thank YOU,JESUS!! Shared
Amen!
yesterday.
Thank God he allows that to happen,cause im sure i would mess that up too…….
OUR NATION
AMEN
amen
AMEN.
Amen!!1
AMEN
Amen!!!
Amen
AMEN
What a comfort to know!
amen
Amen. Thank you Jesus+++
Amen
yes
thank you Holy Spirit.Amen
AMEN
Amen
AMEN
today
so true and real
For the past 6 weeks.
lot’s and then ” HE ” helps me 🙂
Amen.
Amen
Amen .
how about when was it the last time you said THANK YOU GOD FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR ME
Amen and Amen
Amen!
Amen
AMEN !
Amen
Amen I believe this
I hope He reads my heart!
amen
thanks, Lord.
A coworker is just plain mean, i knw i shud pray 4 her but i dont knw what 2 ask
Yes Lord. Amen!
Hear my cry dear LORD.Amen!
AMEN
Amen!
AMEN
Amen
AMEN
That’s a good one doe carol will like it
Amen
AMRN
Yes!
Amen!!!! In The Name Of JESUS!!!!!!!
FOR MY FAMILY
Amein
Yes amen
Amen# Thank you Lord!
amen
Amen and sending this blessing out to all my friends!
Amen
AMEN
amen in Jesus name
yes
AMEN!!
Amen!
Amen
YES
amen
AMEN
For everyone
Great message for us all. Thank you.
Yes
yes to all Amen!!!
Amen!!!
May the LORD of all light and goodness be watchful of your every breath.
Thank you
I need this so much!
YES!!! Lord!!!
YES AMEN
When you feel like you can NOT pray the most. That is when you NEED to PRAY the most!!! DON’T LET THE ENEMY DEFEAT YOU!
Get rid of sin first then go pray. Prayer changes the situation!
AMEN
trust in god he will help you,answer your prayers keep the faith.
Amen
Most people lack faith and not just in God,but themselves as well.
We are living in the natural realm of senses , but prayer takes us into the realm of faith , where we have to learn to go by the. Law of faith , faith is the substance , the Spiritual material of things hoped for , the evidence of things not seen , that’s why it’s sometimes difficult for us , this is a learning process , to walk by faith and not by sight , that”s why we are exhorted never cease to pray , whereby we exercise our faith and grow stronger it….
amen
Help us Lord!
Because our government has taught us and our children there is no GOD! Evolution made everything…thus it is a religion…and no one has the guts to stand up and say anything..instead this horrid evolution has been mixed into bible teaching! Two dinosaurs, ONLY TWO, mentioned in the bible Leviathan (which no man has ever seen that we know of) and behemoth (or the mammoth, elephant basically speaking is STILL an elephant wool or not!) I rebuke the lies! I could go on for hours disproving evolution..variation is the only evolution man has seen..btw that is MICRO evolution…why were the ancients not buried with dinosaur skellies or even an egg? The pharoahs were buried with EVERYTHING, the Khans also buried with EVERYTHING! Nope evolution is theory and FACT mostly lies…I love you GOD, thank you for JESUS, thank you for wisdom, thank you for a second chance!!! AMEN!
Yes – Every day .
AMEN
Amen
amen
Amen
Amen
Amen
Hallelujah
Amen
AMEN, AMEN, AMEN!!!!!
Amen