Why is it so difficult for me to pray?

[MissH84]

This is something I really struggle with (most of the time). I have no problems with reading/listening to The Bible, listening to Christian podcasts and worship music etc. I also have a notebook where I write letters to God. Obviously I don't send them anywhere, it's like a diary but I write to God but when it comes to praying it's like a burden. Most of the time it feels like "Now I have to pray" not that I feel excited about it and often I just end up saying The Lords Prayer just to get it over and done with. I'm seriously starting to think that someone or something is trying to block me. However I find it easier when I just talk to God instead of "praying". I just sit on my bed and talk to God like he was a friend who I was just chatting to. It's easier to pray when I have something special that I want to bring up but praying every day just because I'm "supposed to" is like a job.

I'm grateful for any advice or suggestions.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

This is something I really struggle with (most of the time). I have no problems with reading/listening to The Bible, listening to Christian podcasts and worship music etc. I also have a notebook where I write letters to God. Obviously I don't send them anywhere, it's like a diary but I write to God but when it comes to praying it's like a burden. Most of the time it feels like "Now I have to pray" not that I feel excited about it and often I just end up saying The Lords Prayer just to get it over and done with. I'm seriously starting to think that someone or something is trying to block me. However I find it easier when I just talk to God instead of "praying". I just sit on my bed and talk to God like he was a friend who I was just chatting to. It's easier to pray when I have something special that I want to bring up but praying every day just because I'm "supposed to" is like a job.

I'm grateful for any advice or suggestions.

Welcome to CF!
I'm not so great at praying either so I talk as well.
Blessings

 

[returntosender]

This is something I really struggle with (most of the time). I have no problems with reading/listening to The Bible, listening to Christian podcasts and worship music etc. I also have a notebook where I write letters to God. Obviously I don't send them anywhere, it's like a diary but I write to God but when it comes to praying it's like a burden. Most of the time it feels like "Now I have to pray" not that I feel excited about it and often I just end up saying The Lords Prayer just to get it over and done with. I'm seriously starting to think that someone or something is trying to block me. However I find it easier when I just talk to God instead of "praying". I just sit on my bed and talk to God like he was a friend who I was just chatting to. It's easier to pray when I have something special that I want to bring up but praying every day just because I'm "supposed to" is like a job.

I'm grateful for any advice or suggestions.

I am the same way. For me I think repetition is just wrong and I cringe with it. I also talk to God all day but I don't know that that suffices. I wish I could help.
God bless you and guide you.

Recently a minister suggested that we pray out loud. I don't know if that would help. I put myself to sleep often when praying

 

[friend of]

I have had trouble praying out loud for some years now. I can lay in bed and talk to God about my life. I can journal a little bit and these are both easier than praying in public. When I try to pray in public, it's like I just get stuck and don't know how to continue the prayer. It's like I forget what I'm supposed to ask for. I guess my advice would be to do what works for you. I am certain God loves to hear us talk to him. Also, be grateful. A good acronym for prayer is ACTS

A - acknowledge God for who He is
C - confess your sins and shortcomings
T - thanksgiving for all He has blessed you
S - supplication and entreaty for the future

 

[ByTheSpirit]

Well this is going to sound redundant but ask God to give you the desire to speak with him more. And try not to think of prayer as something you do from one time to another, but something you live.

The scriptures say to pray with ceasing in multiple areas. Everywhere you go, everything you do talk to God about it. Lord I'm going to work, ride with me, give me grace to meet the challenges I'll face today, is there someone today I'll meet that you want to bless through me. Just find ways to invite him into all aspects of your life. After things conclude, talk to him about it. Confess any shortcomings and ask for forgiveness. Thank him for his faithfulness in seeing you through. Etc.

 

[RileyG]

You're human. We all struggle with it from time to time.

 

[Carl Emerson]

However I find it easier when I just talk to God instead of "praying".

'Talking to God' is praying...

Real prayer flows out of relationship and that is what you are already doing...

 

[Ivan Hlavanda]

This is something I really struggle with (most of the time). I have no problems with reading/listening to The Bible, listening to Christian podcasts and worship music etc. I also have a notebook where I write letters to God. Obviously I don't send them anywhere, it's like a diary but I write to God but when it comes to praying it's like a burden. Most of the time it feels like "Now I have to pray" not that I feel excited about it and often I just end up saying The Lords Prayer just to get it over and done with. I'm seriously starting to think that someone or something is trying to block me. However I find it easier when I just talk to God instead of "praying". I just sit on my bed and talk to God like he was a friend who I was just chatting to. It's easier to pray when I have something special that I want to bring up but praying every day just because I'm "supposed to" is like a job.

I'm grateful for any advice or suggestions.

In my case it's because some truth is hard to admit and I foolishy think I will impress God with the words I say, rather than meaning them.

I think there is no Christian who knows how to pray well, even the desciples, the one and only think they asked Jesus to teach them was how to pray. That's why Jesus interceedes for us in heaven.

Don't worry about saying the right stuff, just say what's truly on your mind, even if it's not meant to be there.

I also believe there is no strong Christian. Only Jesus is storng and good, He is the hero, it' about Him only and thus sometimes God will create weaknesses so we depend on Him more, even our prayers , so we realise our need.

 

[Aussie Pete]

This is something I really struggle with (most of the time). I have no problems with reading/listening to The Bible, listening to Christian podcasts and worship music etc. I also have a notebook where I write letters to God. Obviously I don't send them anywhere, it's like a diary but I write to God but when it comes to praying it's like a burden. Most of the time it feels like "Now I have to pray" not that I feel excited about it and often I just end up saying The Lords Prayer just to get it over and done with. I'm seriously starting to think that someone or something is trying to block me. However I find it easier when I just talk to God instead of "praying". I just sit on my bed and talk to God like he was a friend who I was just chatting to. It's easier to pray when I have something special that I want to bring up but praying every day just because I'm "supposed to" is like a job.

I'm grateful for any advice or suggestions.

Praying really is just talking to God. I'm with you. Most of my communication with God is written. I find my mind wanders when I pray silently or even out loud. I do this every morning, without fail. When I was less diligent, I suffered as a consequence.

Be aware that Satan hates us praying and will endeavour to stop us if he can. God surely answers prayer and nothing of any spiritual worth happens without someone praying. We always have something we can thank God for. I thank God for sleep, for the new day, for the fact that I woke up, my health and so on. There is always someone we can intercede for. I used to find it hard, but it's become a habit for me now. I don't check out my feelings anymore either. God hears me because I pray in Jesus name. I don't a feeling to affirm that.

It seems to me that you are on the right track. We are the family of God. God has befriended us and He wants us to be His friend also. The high and mighty prayers of the religious sound impressive, but they are empty. One preacher said it was like sending a gift box to someone, except when they opened it, it was empty. Being real with God is essential. Sometimes we are dry and prayer seems pointless. Just speak what's in your heart anyway.

 

[tturt]

Understand what you're saying. Remind myself that it's a privilege to pray to our heavenly Father.

There are prayers in Scripture you could pray such as Eph 3:14-21, Col 1:9-22; Psa 19:14, 28:6-9, 57:1,
139:1-2; I Tim 2:1-3

"Our Beloved Father, dwelling in the heavenly realms,
may the glory of your name
be the center on which our lives turn.
10 Manifest your kingdom realm,
and cause your every purpose to be fulfilled on earth,
just as it is in heaven.
11 We acknowledge you as our Provider
of all we need each day.
12 Forgive us the wrongs we have done as we ourselves
release forgiveness to those who have wronged us.
13 Rescue us every time we face tribulation
and set us free from evil.
For you are the King who rules
with power and glory forever. Amen.’ Matt 6, TPT

 

[Carl Emerson]

Understand what you're saying. Remind myself that it's a privilege to pray to our heavenly Father.

There are prayers in Scripture you could pray such as Eph 3:14-21, Col 1:9-22; Psa 19:14, 28:6-9, 57:1,
139:1-2; I Tim 2:1-3

"Our Beloved Father, dwelling in the heavenly realms,
may the glory of your name
be the center on which our lives turn.
10 Manifest your kingdom realm,
and cause your every purpose to be fulfilled on earth,
just as it is in heaven.
11 We acknowledge you as our Provider
of all we need each day.
12 Forgive us the wrongs we have done as we ourselves
release forgiveness to those who have wronged us.
13 Rescue us every time we face tribulation
and set us free from evil.
For you are the King who rules
with power and glory forever. Amen.’ Matt 6, TPT

Nice translation...

 

[BobRyan]

It's easier to pray when I have something special that I want to bring up but praying every day just because I'm "supposed to" is like a job.

I'm grateful for any advice or suggestions.

Phil 4: 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Take all your concerns and all your thanksgivings to God in prayer.

1. Do you have anything to be thankful for? any answers to prayer that have come your way? mention that in prayer.
2. Do you have anything that concerns you? Anyone you know that you would like to see converted to Christ? Any help that you might need? any request to open doors so you can speak to others about salvation? Any concern for family members? Any need for help in understanding what the Bible means in a certain place?

If your day is too busy you may find it hard to find time to pray

 

[MissH84]

Thank you all . I didn't know who to respond to individually so I'm taking onboard what was said and clearly others struggle with this as well.

 

[aiki]

This is something I really struggle with (most of the time). I have no problems with reading/listening to The Bible, listening to Christian podcasts and worship music etc. I also have a notebook where I write letters to God. Obviously I don't send them anywhere, it's like a diary but I write to God but when it comes to praying it's like a burden. Most of the time it feels like "Now I have to pray" not that I feel excited about it and often I just end up saying The Lords Prayer just to get it over and done with. I'm seriously starting to think that someone or something is trying to block me.

Maybe. Have you dabbled in the occult? Not participated in a seance, necessarily, but had a tarot-card reading, or had tea leaves or your palm read, or looked at porn, or used drugs, or watched overtly demonic/Satanic movies? All of these things give "ground" to the devil in your life, powerfully hindering your walk with God, as result. Are you a rebellious-spirited person, throwing off any and all authority as much as you can? The Bible says rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, participation in which is a surefire way to open the door of your life to demonic oppression.

Check out: Freedom in Christ Ministries, USA

I just sit on my bed and talk to God like he was a friend who I was just chatting to. It's easier to pray when I have something special that I want to bring up but praying every day just because I'm "supposed to" is like a job.

I'm grateful for any advice or suggestions.

Every relationship that thrives relies upon communication to do so. So, too, with God. But God is unique among our relationships and operates under correspondingly unique...dynamics.

There is, for example, no talking with God apart from submission to Him. God has no interest in the words of a rebel, except they communicate repentance, confession and a desire to be under His will and way. (Romans 6:13; Romans 12:1; James 4:6-10)

God will not listen to the words of an unrepentant sinner. (Psalms 66:18; Isaiah 59:2; 1 Peter 3:10-12)

God is not your buddy; He's your Creator and your God. He loves you, yes, but this does not mean you can treat Him just like any other friend you have. You may always come unto His throne of grace, but it is always to a throne that you come. Treat God with the huge respect He deserves. Approach Him with humility. (Revelation 1:12-18; Ecclesiastes 5:2; 1 Peter 5:6)

There is no better way to pray than to pray God's will back to Him. Doing so reminds you of His truth, of His will, and aligns you under both.

 

[Leaviathan]

I feel awkward trying to think of things to say when I pray.

 

[tturt]

Previously thought that my prayers didn't seem proper enough. But since we're told to pray without ceasing (I Thess 5:17), then just talk to God. Praise and thanksgiving are important elements of prayer. Also, there's hundreds of online prayers and reasons to praise and thank Him which can be helpful. Might want to make sure they're Christian websites.

 

[Neogaia777]

This is something I really struggle with (most of the time). I have no problems with reading/listening to The Bible, listening to Christian podcasts and worship music etc. I also have a notebook where I write letters to God. Obviously I don't send them anywhere, it's like a diary but I write to God but when it comes to praying it's like a burden. Most of the time it feels like "Now I have to pray" not that I feel excited about it and often I just end up saying The Lords Prayer just to get it over and done with. I'm seriously starting to think that someone or something is trying to block me. However I find it easier when I just talk to God instead of "praying". I just sit on my bed and talk to God like he was a friend who I was just chatting to. It's easier to pray when I have something special that I want to bring up but praying every day just because I'm "supposed to" is like a job.

I'm grateful for any advice or suggestions.

What you are doing is praying, and is not doing it like a hypocrite, etc...

And as long as you have no problems or inner inward resistance towards getting down on your knees when you feel like it is necessary, or you feel like He is asking you to, I would say you are doing just fine, and I think God is way, way more than ok with what you are doing and how you are doing it, etc, so just keep it up, ok...

But also try not to make it all always just about only just you always, or only just you and Him only always, if you sometimes forget about that sometimes, ok...

It's very easy sometimes to lose sight of and forget about others sometimes when you have a relationship with Him that is like that, etc...

But other than that, I think God is very pleased with both you and it, etc...

So just keep doing it, ok...

God Bless!