07. March 2024

What If I Feel Like I Don’t Want to Pray?

Sometimes, we may not feel like praying. We might think we're not in the right mood or too sinful to pray. But what matters isn't how we feel, it's whether we need to pray, whether we need God's help. Our very need for help is why we must pray.

If you don't want to pray, pour it all out to God, expressing that you don't want to pray. Tell Him how you feel, that you don't want to pray. Say, "Lord, I don't want to pray, and I don't know why. Please Lord, I need Your help, Lord. I'm so weak. I cannot overcome my weaknesses. Lord, please help me......"

Even if we're not feeling thankful or if we feel rebellious, we should still pray, expressing our need for God's help. We should pray in Jesus' name, with faith, even if our faith feels small. God promises to answer our prayers if we ask with simplicity and faith.

"It is a part of God's plan to grant us, in answer to the prayer of faith, that which He would not bestow did we not thus ask." The Great Controversy, p. 525.

"Be earnest; be resolute. Present the promise of God, and then believe without a doubt. Do not wait to feel special emotions before you think the Lord answers. Do not mark out some particular way that the Lord must work for you before you believe you receive the things you ask of Him; but trust His word, and leave the whole matter in the hands of the Lord, with full faith that your prayer will be honored, and the answer will come at the very time and in the very way your heavenly Father sees is for your good; and then live out your prayers." Messages to Young People, p. 123.

We shouldn't give up on praying just because we don't see immediate results. Sometimes, God delays answers to help us examine our faith and sincerity. If God answered all our prayers immediately, we might take His blessings for granted and become careless. So, even if it seems like nothing is happening when we pray, we should keep faith and continue praying.

“God does not always answer our prayers the first time we call upon Him; for should He do this, we might take it for granted that we had a right to all the blessings and favors He bestowed upon us. Instead of searching our hearts to see if any evil was entertained by us, and sin indulged, we would become careless, and fail to realize our dependence upon Him, and our need of His help.” Review and Herald, June 9, 1891.

When we pray, we should ask for what God wants, not just what we want. Sometimes, we get so caught up in asking for things for ourselves that we forget about God's plans. We might ask to be protected from certain troubles or problems, but God might know that going through those things could actually help us grow stronger. So, we should always pray with the attitude of "Not my will, but Yours be done." This means putting aside our own desires and aligning ourselves with what God wants. Good prayers are ones that are selfless.

When we pray, we should focus on spiritual things first. We should prioritize seeking God's kingdom. No matter what's going on in our lives, we should always pray. Neglecting prayer can lead to spiritual darkness and hinder our growth as Christians. "It is impossible for the soul to flourish while prayer is neglected." Steps to Christ p. 98.

No matter how we feel or what's happening around us, we shouldn't let anything stop us from praying.

"Prayer is heaven's ordained means of success in the conflict with sin and the development of Christian character." The Acts of the Apostles p. 564.

Prayer is essential for our spiritual well-being. It's like the breath of our soul and helps us succeed in our journey against sin and in becoming better Christians.