It's hard to pray because humbling ourselves, getting over ourselves, and coming to the end of our stubborn and sinful selves is hard. When we pray, we die to self, and death hurts. That's why our flesh fights so hard against prayer.
As a church we brainstormed some of the challenges we face when trying to pray. Things we came up with included distractions, fears, guilt, and time management. These are real obstacles.
Sometimes we find it difficult to pray because we cannot let go of fear, worry, or doubt. We overthink and panic, which renders us ineffective. If you look at this verse carefully, prayer comes before peace. We must release everything to God first by praying.
Your prayers do not align with God's will.
Simply put, sometimes God doesn't answer our prayers because we are praying for the wrong things. And we may not be doing this out of malice, either, so much as out of ignorance. Perhaps we don't know enough of God's Word to know his will.
All have sinned (Rom. 3:23; I John 1:8, 10). Thus strictly speaking, if “sinner” means anyone who has sinned, then God does not hear the prayers of anyone.
- As long as your prayers are for selfish motives, driven by pride hidden in your heart, God will not answer them. - Other versions start this verse with “don't be anxious” in place of “Be careful…” - Once you know God has said yes, you know you will receive it.
Prayer starts to feel like an unsuccessful attempt at having a close relationship with God. Feelings of rejection or “unanswered” prayers may lead to severe symptoms of anxiety-related disorders, he says.
When you receive Christ, he will fill you and save you forever. But you must not forget him. If you do, you will feel empty inside because we need to reconnect with Christ daily. Just like any relationship, our relationship with Jesus needs time, care, and attention.
Let everyone pray when they feel fresh and comfortable. When they feel tired, they should sit down. '” (Related by Al-Bukhari). This is just an example of the fact that Islam does not overburden its followers with worship duties.
Speaking at the Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis identified three difficulties we often experience in prayer: distraction; feelings of dryness or barrenness; and “acedia,” a certain listlessness in prayer.
THINGS WHICH INVALIDATE THE PRAYER
Speaking or talking in the course of the prayer. Laughing in the course of the prayer. Eating while praying, even though what is eaten maybe as small as a piece of dates. Drinking while praying, even though what is drank maybe as small as taking only a mouthful.
Is it possible that God would get angry with us because we pray too much about a particular problem? I worry about bothering Him too much with my problems. ANSWER: Absolutely not! The Bible tells us to persist in prayer and to pray about everything.
There's an old adage that if you fall asleep while you're saying your prayer, your guardian angel finishes it for you.
The silent practice of contemplative prayer guides us toward resting in the fullness of God and God's love. It's a peaceful practice that pulls us away from striving, fear, and defending boundaries.
We often drift off in our prayers because we forget exactly Who we are praying to, and the completeness — the sheer enormity — of His divine nature, His divine authority. We would not be here without God, and neither would our world.
Certainly the Spirit of the Lord can bring strong emotional feelings, including tears, but that outward manifestation ought not to be confused with the presence of the Spirit itself” (in Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service [2004], 99).
Anxiety is Noncompliant with God's Word
Be anxious for nothing (Philippians 4:6). Fear not (Isaiah 41:10). This is also commanded 364 other times in scripture, by the way. Let not your hearts be troubled (John 14:1).
Jesus' example of total surrender can help you surrender your anxieties over to God. Every day, you can offer up your worries to God in prayer. Hand them over to him and trust him to take care of those matters. Do this as many times as needed to surrender to God, and you'll experience God's perfect peace.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
God always listens to us when we pray. The scriptures show countless examples of prayers God has heard and answered.
God hears all your prayers (Psalm 139:4, 1 John 5:14–15, 1 Peter 3:12) and, in one sense, he answers all your prayers. But we do not always receive what we ask for. When we ask God for something, the response will be 'Yes' or 'No' or 'Wait'.
Let no evil enter my mind tonight, and guard me against fearful or anxious thoughts. You are my Shepherd every hour of the day, and in the watches of night. In Jesus' name, amen.
There's no law that says you have to wake up early to spend time with God. The thing is WE GET TO. We get to experience time in the Creator's presence and sit and meditate on His love which changes our lives and how we act throughout our days.