5 Reasons To Pray When You Don’t Feel Like It

Have trouble praying? Maybe these five reasons to pray when you don’t feel like it will help.

Don’t Feel Like It

I absolutely admired my old Sunday school teacher. When asked how he could be so patient when the children we’re running wild, he said, “When children need the most attention, it’s when they must get the most attention.” It’s sort of like, when children are acting the most unloving, is exactly when they need loving the most. That’s what God did for us. He sent His Son to die for ungodly, unthankful, wicked sinners who were enemies of God (Rom 5:6-10). Friends, that’s us! God gave us His love when we deserved His wrath, but instead He placed it on His Son. That alone makes me weep.

The Enemy

When I pray, I am sometimes infiltrated with all sorts of thoughts, and they’re not always good. Sometimes in fact, they’re plain evil. I’m thinking, “Where’d that come from? Not God…so, it must be the enemy who is trying to block or hinder my prayers. My brothers and sisters, we’re in a spiritual battle and we’re facing an invisible enemy and his minions (Eph 6:12). What makes them even more dangerous is some Christians (around 36%) say they don’t even believe in the Devil, but that’s not good. An enemy who is invisible and thought not to exist is even more deadly, because they won’t pick up and put on the armor of God against an enemy they think doesn’t exist. When you pray, try to find a quiet place and where there are few distractions. This might help you pray more effectively.

It’s Commanded

A man and his friend who were arguing about predestination and free will finally ended their “debate” (really, it was an argument) and left in a huff. I doubt very much those brothers were going to pray for one another as we’re commanded to do. In fact, they need to make it right with one another before they bring anything to the altar (before the Father). Why do we pray when we don’t feel like it? It’s because we’re told to. Jesus didn’t feel like going to the cross, and so prayed 3 times to have that cup removed, but He submitted to God’s will and we know it’s God’s will for Him to die for sinners, and it’s God’s will for us to pray to the Father and pray for one another as well as pray for those who don’t yet know Christ. That should be reason enough.

We Need It

You might not feel like it, but that’s just when you need it the most. Of course, I’m speaking about prayer. We need to pray more because we need Him more. In this troubled world, ever grower worse with evil, we’re going to need to be closer in contact with our heavenly Father. He is always available and is there for every occasion. The only prayer He can’t answer is the one that’s not asked for. Of course, He does that too, sometimes, but we need God more than anything in this world. We’re not going to do very well if we don’t keep in touch with God. When you get buried by problems in life, that’ll turn you into a prayer warrior, but don’t let it get to the point where your only hope is to pray; pray when you feel like it because you know (and I know) you need it.

Other’s Need It

Just before Jesus’ betrayal, He warned the disciples to watch and pray (Matt 26:41), and even though the context is different, we too must watch and pray. We can pray for those who haven’t yet trusted in Christ. We can pray for our brothers and sisters we know, and for those who are being persecuted for their faith around the world. Aren’t you glad someone prays for you? Doesn’t it make you feel blessed? Did you know that Jesus prays for us? He said, “I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours” (John 17:9), but not only did Jesus pray for the disciples, He says, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word” (John 17:20), and we have believed through the disciple’s word, which is the New Testament basically. Jesus has you on His prayer list if you are a child of God. Let that sink in. Jesus prays for you…I pray for my readers and some pray for me, but who most would you want to pray for you? Of course, it’s Jesus! And, do you think the Father ever hears and answer’s Jesus’ prayers? Oh yeah…100% of them.

Conclusion

A close friend of mine once told me that he had trouble starting to pray again. I said, “Praying again?” He told me he stopped praying and the longer he waited, the harder it was to pray again. The more you are cut off from God, the more you are on your own, and that’s bad in this world. It’s not that God will forsake you or leave you, but He is not going to force Himself on anyone. He is God. I noticed God had no problems running the universe before I got here, so thank God that He’s given us Jesus, a Man Who has given His life as a ransom for us, and for many (Mark 10:45). Let our prayers, if nothing else, give glory, honor, praise, and thanksgiving to God for all He has done for the sons and daughters of God. We need prayer warriors today. Will you and will I fill that need in the Body of Christ?

May God richly bless you

Pastor Jack Wellman

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