LORD TEACH ME TO PRAY 2:
Why Do People Find It Hard To Pray?

“In this holy place, Lord I see Your face.
 Surrounded by Your glory,
 Jesus You and me.
  
 “I love you Jesus, I love You my Lord
 I love You Jesus, I love You my Lord
  
 “In this holy place, Lord I see Your face.
 Surrounded by Your glory,
 Jesus You and me.
 Surrounded by Your glory,
 Jesus You and me.” 

This is a song the Holy Spirit gave several years ago, in the place of prayer. It is a love song to Jesus; a song of love, worship and adoration from my heart to His heart. Such is the simplicity and beauty of prayer, one of the most important requirements of our relationship and walk with God. Yet, many find prayer difficult and struggle with it.

Some reasons why people find it difficult to pray

1. Many do not know and understand the importance of prayer in the believer’s life and the life of the world around them
2. Many simply don’t know how to pray, or are confused about what prayer is and what it entails.
3. People have their own pre-formed ideas about prayer – should it be formal or informal, loud or quiet, meditative or expressive, vocal or silent and intense or restrained; pray in tongues or not, etc?
4. Temperament, experience, cultural background and lack of knowledge also create a lot of confusion about prayer, which discourages and deters people from praying.
5. Prayer is often regarded as a task, duty or chore that we do for God, and that makes prayer tiresome and boring.
6. Really, it is difficult to talk to someone you cannot see and who sometimes seems distant and unreal. Unfortunately, this is how many believers see God.
7. Doubt, unbelief and lack of faith also prevent people from praying. Many are simply not convinced that God answers prayer, so don’t bother to pray.
8. Time – in our busy world, many feel they do not have time to pray. Thus, prayer is not a priority in their to-do list.
9. We have an enemy who would do anything and everything to discourage or prevent us from praying because he knows how important prayer is.

Whatever the reason for not praying, God will always supply the grace and strength to pray if you would only take a step of faith and ask Him. The irony is that to overcome your ‘prayerlessness,’ you simply have to pray.

Psalm 66:19-20 NLT
“19 But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. 20 Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me.”

Jennifer Abigail Lawson-Wallace
CEO/International President
Women In Tune