Why Is It Difficult To Pray?

Currently in Sunday School, the Church is exploring the Gospel of Luke.  In today’s lesson (led by one of the Church elders) the question was asked, “Why is it difficult to pray?”  In my own mind, I thought, “Ever since I became a Christian, it has been hard to pray.”  I have struggled with prayer since becoming a Christian. In fact, it seems to be even harder in these recent years.

 I waited for the answers with some trepidation due to the guilt welling up inside me.   Here were the answers from others in the congregation:

1.   Prayer is a spiritual exercise; therefore, it’s a spiritual battle and is a constant fight.

2.    Discouragement can set in because not all prayers are answered in the way one would hope.

3.   There is a strained relationship between man and God because either one does not realize who he or she is    coming before or one does realize who he or she is coming before.

4.   One can be discouraged simply because he or she feels inadequate to pray.

Wow! I have sensed all of these struggles and more.  If you do not struggle with prayer, this post is probably not for you, but Jesus knew people would struggle with prayer so he told a parable.

The parable He told is about a woman who came before a judge and kept coming requesting legal protection against her transgressors (Luke 18:2).  Luke writes the reason Jesus shared the parable.  “Now  He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart” (1).  Who loses heart when it comes to prayer? I do, and Jesus gave this parable and He did so to give encouragement.

Just as the woman went continually asking for justice, we too ought to continue approaching the throne of God through Jesus Christ because He will bring justice.  Listen to the words of Jesus, “Now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?”  The answer is yes.  The Lord will bring about justice for his elect, and He will not delay long in bringing that justice.

What does this have to do with having difficulty praying?  It goes back to the four reasons given for difficulty. Each reason carries a sense of inadequacy in the one praying.  One is not strong enough to endure the fight.  One is not convinced prayers are answered.  One does not find himself meditating on the power of God enough.  One simply feels tired or feels guilty that he or she cannot keep a simple train of thought.  One is discouraged to pray because he or she is looking to him or herself for the strength to pray.

Stop looking at yourself! These difficulties are overcome in Christ even if they exist in you.  Jesus said, “Behold we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished.  For  He will be handed over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon, and after they have scourged Him, they will Kill Him; and the third day He will rise again” (31-33).  The One who will rise in three days is coming to bring justice to the elect.  He is the one who tells us to pray.

Prayer is not based on a feeling.  It finds its basis in a promise.  The promise is not based on ones election, but on Christ’s return bringing about justice for His elect.  Take heart, the success of my prayers are not dependent upon me, but upon Christ.

 He has even given His Spirit to help us until He returns.  The Spirit helps us to pray.  “In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27).  My confidence is not in myself when it comes to prayer it is Christ.  As I continue to struggle to pray, I know this, Christ is coming for his elect, until He arrives in bodily form, His Spirit will help me pray.  Praise God!