Why do I have such a hard time praying?

Question

Listen up all you christians I need your help! I recently got involved in church I've been reading the bible and trying to make friends with other christians. But no matter what I do I feel disconnected like something is truly missing. I hear everyone talking about prayer but I just can't seem to pray. Everytime I sit down to pray there's nothing. It's so new to me I don't know where to begin. I don't even know who to pray to, do I pray to God or Jesus? What do I talk about in prayer? Do I confess my sins in prayer?

Answer 1

Pray to Jehovah in Jesus Name

Drawing Close to God in Prayer ***

Drawing Close to God in Prayer

Why is it important to pray regularly? (1)

To whom should we pray, and how? (2, 3)

What are proper subjects for prayer? (4)

When should you pray? (5, 6)

Does God listen to all prayers? (7)

1. Prayer is humbly speaking to God. You should pray to God regularly. Thus you can feel close to him as to a dear friend. Jehovah is so great and powerful, yet he listens to our prayers! Do you pray to God regularly?—Psalm 65:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

2. Prayer is part of our worship. Thus, we should pray only to God, Jehovah. When Jesus was on earth, he always prayed to his Father, not to anyone else. We should do the same. (Matthew 4:10; 6:9) However, all our prayers should be said in the name of Jesus. This shows that we respect Jesus’ position and that we have faith in his ransom sacrifice.—John 14:6; 1 John 2:1, 2.

3. When we pray we should speak to God from our heart. We should not say our prayers from memory or read them from a prayer book. (Matthew 6:7, 8) We can pray in any respectful position, at any time, and at any place. God can hear even silent prayers said in our heart. (1 Samuel 1:12, 13) It is good to find a quiet place away from other people to say our personal prayers.—Mark 1:35.

4. What subjects can you pray about? Anything that might affect your friendship with him. (Philippians 4:6, 7) The model prayer shows that we should pray about Jehovah’s name and purpose. We can also ask for our material needs to be provided, for our sins to be forgiven, and for help to resist temptation. (Matthew 6:9-13) Our prayers should not be selfish. We should only pray for things that harmonize with God’s will.—1 John 5:14.

5. You may pray whenever your heart moves you to thank or praise God. (1 Chronicles 29:10-13) You should pray when you have problems and your faith is being tested. (Psalm 55:22; 120:1) It is appropriate to pray before you eat your meals. (Matthew 14:19) Jehovah invites us to pray “on every occasion.”—Ephesians 6:18.

6. We especially need to pray if we have committed a serious sin. At such times we should beg for Jehovah’s mercy and forgiveness. If we confess our sins to him and do our very best not to repeat them, God is “ready to forgive.”—Psalm 86:5; Proverbs 28:13.

7. Jehovah listens only to the prayers of righteous people. For your prayers to be heard by God, you must be trying your best to live by his laws. (Proverbs 15:29; 28:9) You must be humble when you pray. (Luke 18:9-14) You need to work at what you pray for. You will thus prove that you have faith and that you really mean what you say. Only then will Jehovah answer your prayers.—Hebrews 11:6.

Answer 2

Hi A. Jones,

First let me encourage you that i've been a Christian for 15 plus years now and i'm still learning a lot about how to pray. It sounds like you've made some great decisions in terms of going to church, reading your bible, and fellowshipping with other believers. Have you accepted Jesus personally???

The Bible tells us in Hebrews 4:16- that we can approach God's throne of grace with confidence. We pray to the Father (through Jesus). The Lord's Prayer found in the book of Matthew is a good example.

You can try using the acronym ACTS-
Adoration- Adore God. Thank God for his attributes.

Confession- Confession of sin.

Thanksgiving- Giving thanks.

Supplication- asking God for your needs.

There are also a lot of great books on Prayer. Donald Whitney's book Spiritual Disciplines for The Christian life has a great chapter on prayer. You can also find a lot of great books that teach on the Lord's prayer.

I would also suggest sharing your concern with your pastor and see if there is a bible study you can join, or an older brother who can instruct and help you grow in your prayer life.

Feel free to email me if i can help in anyway, i might even be able to send you some books: [e-mail]

Nickster

Answer 3

As a Christian, you will run into no greater opposition from the demonic realm than when you try to pray. Even Jesus' disciples fell asleep and had to ask Him to teach them how to pray. Thus, we have the Lord's prayer in Matthew 6 as a model. I use it as a pattern to keep me on track. I have also found that by beginning my prayer time by speaking in tongues, it acts like starter fluid. Maybe because the devil can't interfere because it bypasses the natural thoughts and involves a language just for God (1 Corinthians 14:2).

Answer 4

I think most importantly is the foundation upon which a "prayer life" can be built. Do you believe that Jesus is the son of God, who died on a cross, rose again, and is your savior? Do you study the bible? The more we know about the Lord and His word, the more we understand the character of God.

That being said, the bible teaches that we are able to come before the "throne of God to obtain mercy" because of Jesus Christ. When you "pray", just talk to God....tell Him what's on your heart...and pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Focus on what you're saying, search your heart to really see what's there to say to Him. It's okay, He knows what your heart contains anyway!

Answer 5

I don't even know who to pray to, do I pray to God or Jesus?

First thing I wanted to say is that prayer like all things should be done in Jesus name. If you look through Gods word, you will see that it is the name of Jesus that all things were done in. Here are a few examles
Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

If you sudy Gods word you will see that Jesus and God are the same person. Here is somthing for you to look at 60 Questions on the godhead with bible answers
http://www.apostolic-voice.org/tracts/godhead.htm

Here is some more information to help you better understand your walk with God
http://apostolic-voice.org/tracts/nutshell.htm
http://www.apostolic-voice.org/tracts/wemean.htm
These might help you have a deeper walk with God and also result in you having a better prayer life
here is a link you might want to also check out for finding someone in your area to talk to http://www.upci.org/churches

Here are some scripture I found on prayer

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

We all have times when we feel our prayers are going nowhere. Thats when we need to really Get into prayer more and ask God to help us. Sometimes fasting could help. and asking others to pray with us and for us

If I can help you any further please feel free to email me at [e-mail]

Answer 6

Prayer is useless in the sense that you sit (or kneel) there, trying to talk to god... but there's nobody home. Sorry... no god. However, prayer DOES have value in that it brings things that are bothering you to the forefront of your attention, and can provide a method to focus 'intent'. So, while Christians in the act of praying are really only catering to their deeply set delusions, it CAN manifest a positive result.

However, once you realize that all of this is superstitious nonsense, you can garner a much GREATER positive effect (focus attention and develop intent) by learning how to meditate... which is much more powerful than prayer, since the delusion part of the equation is eliminated.

Answer 7

Prayer is not about doing something that religion requires. It is to develop closeness with God. It is not about some special feeling of His presence; it is an act of faith. Prayer is speaking to Him because you trust He is there, no matter how you feel.

Go to Him "as a little child" even if it seems foolish, like talking to the air. He is there. Tell him your physical and emotional needs. Speak to Him silently or talk aloud. Ask Him to provide your family's needs according to His will. Ask Him what food to buy and how to schedule your domestic activity to make best use of time. It may feel strange or foolish to pray, but faith and trust in the unseen is strange and foolish to our fleshly minds.

"Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17) is one of the best advisories in the Bible. It means you talk to God about anything that comes up; talk to Jesus or to God. Thank God when you awaken; even if you don't feel like it. Ask first thing for Him to lead you each moment, to speak and act only by His will. Thank Him for your children and to draw them to Jesus. Ask Him to give you a grateful heart, no matter the circumstances. Let Him know you want to obey Him. If you feel guilty, tell Him why. Tell Him your gratitude that Jesus has your sins covered. Thank our Father and His Son for His sacrifice. Ask Him for a heart to discern His voice. Ask for His Spirit to fill you.

All the ways you might want to become intimate with a person, are the ways to talk to God. That is what is prayer. You can only learn to pray by praying. Ask Jesus to pray in you and lead your words. Read a Psalm aloud. Find a Christian worship song and sing to Him. It is good for you to set aside a regular time to pray, but you can pray by simply talking to God anytime, instead of the mental chatter that so often happens.

Talking about prayer or being able to pray aloud eloquently in front of others is not necessarily an indication that someone is a person of prayer. Pray despite the "disconnected like something is missing feeling." Nearly every Christian feels that way at some time or another, sometimes for long stretchs, when He requires a deeper walk of faith.

Pray. Just do it. Prayer takes practice. Initially, it sometimes just plain feels like unrewarding work, regardless of the ease that others appear to have.The flow and sense that God is there might happen in a moment or be a long gradual development. Each day is another opportunity to act by faith, not by sight. Regardless of "there's nothing," trust He is there and listens and hears and answers.

Answer 8

praying is talking to God like you would a friend, so have a normal conversation, thats a good start, pray to the father in the name of jesus but, it doesnt really matter whom you pray to. Father SOn or Holy Spirit

Answer 9

A relationship with Christ is easier than you think. Your prayers don't have to be full of flowery overdone blah blah blah. Talk with Jesus just like you talk with your friend, you mother, your father, your siblings. Something like this...
Jesus...I'm having some trouble today. It seems I just don't know the words to say to you, but I know that you know my heart and I just need to be still and listen for now.
Jesus...You know that argument I had earlier today is really getting me down. Please help guide me through this and give me peace.
Jesus...I told that person today that I met that I would pray for them. I don't know what is truly the nature of what is happening with them, but you do Lord. I pray that you will guide them and open doors. Put the right people in their path and help them Father.
-Do you see? It's just like talking with a friend and we wonder "how do I pray without ceasing?" Well...in all things we can communicate with Him. Even now.
I pray Lord that you will help this child of yours to open up to you and speak from his/her heart. That this child will incorporate you into every aspect of life. In Jesus name....Amen
Be at peace;
Peacemaker

Answer 10

The thing that's missing is God. In your heart of hearts, you can feel the simple fact of the matter -- that all the major religions of the world are descended from the superstitious beliefs of a bunch of semi-nomadic Bronze-Age primitives. There's no truth to scripture, no magic. There is no salvation; and no need for it either, because there is no sin.