Hi all. Over the past few years I've really struggled with my prayer life. Sometimes the struggle was good in that it resulted in growth and sometimes it felt like I was just getting by. I often struggle to know what to say. Am I saying the right things? Am I talking enough, or too much? Should I sing a song, or trying to speak in tongues, or ask for a leading or just try to clear my mind? For how long should I prayer; in one long session or smaller sessions throughout the day?
I get caught up in these questions even as I'm praying and then I get nervous about that and then I get anxious about that and then the whole thing becomes a confused muddle. It's not always like this, but it happens often enough that I feel insecure about it. However, I found this video encouraging in that what God is mostly looking for is sincerity. I should just relax and remember that God loves me. Remember this doesn't always help, but it does reduce the amount of anxiety I feel about prayers so I thought I might be an encouragement to others, as well. Feel free to let me know what you think!
Dear brother,
Let me share my story. When I was depressed, I don’t know how to pray.
I find out that I need God’s strength to pray and seek out the Lord’s presence continuously; as written in Ephesians 3:14-21
Prayer do not come easily when we are spiritually dry, as David have said : O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. -Psalms 63:1
That is why our Lord have told us to come and drink in John 7:37. Our Lord know our spiritual need; for we are a spiritual being that has a soul ( emotions, intelligence and will ) and live in a body.
When we pray, we must know that God is Spirit, as our Lord have said : God is SPIRIT, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." -John 4:24.
We also need to pray in spirit.
To draw near to God in prayer, we must believe that our Lord God exist and reward those who diligently seek Him. What reward He gives? His grace that strengthen our hearts; His grace of repentance; and all His promises those who keep His covenant and commandments and those who fear His name.
To draw near God in prayer, it is of importance to remove all prayer hindrances.
One of them, this is written:
Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; -Isaiah 59:1
but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. -Isaiah 59:2
Every day we need to be concerned to fight a good fight of faith, that is, we need to battle against sin. How to pray that! Actually, they are many is written in the Bible ( Ephesians 2:1-10 ; Ephesians 4:17-24 ; Colossians 2:11-15; Roman 6; etc ).
If you struggle to pray, there are many prayers written in the Holy Scripture, not only the Lord’s Prayer. David, apostle Paul and the psalmist, and other faithful ministers of God in the Bible have prayed; we should learn to imitate them; as the apostles urge us to imitate them. ( For example: Psalm 5; 86; 130; etc ) ; praying according to what is written in the Holy Scripture will teach us many things about the will of God.
It is of importance that we continue to submit ourselves to the will of God daily by seeking His strength and continuously dedicate our life or consecrate our life for God ; our continuous commitment to endure suffering with Him, will make us stronger because we lean on His will in prayer.
When we are suffering and get discouraged, we put in His word ; when we pray according to His word and promises,He gives us life. In His righteousness, He brings our distress.
Yes, victory comes from the Lord; when we live our life according to His ways, when we pray to God and our eyes set on His ways; The Lord will quickly subdue our enemies and turn His hands against our foes.
Yes, the Lord rescue us because we hold Him fast in love, that is, we pray because we love to talk to Him and believe that He delivers us and brought us in triumphal procession in Christ Jesus.
In union with Christ, in union with His love, His love cast out all fears and anxiety. His steadfast love never ceases and His compassion never comes to an end ; Great is His faithfulness; that is why we praise Him daily for His faithfulness.
If you want to be encouraged, bless our Lord Jesus Christ who daily bears our burden. He is God of our salvation. Hallelujah. Amen
