Focus Verse: Pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (CEB)
Lately, I haven’t really been feeling like praying. I don’t know why, I sometimes go through times where I’m just like, “yeah God, I’m good. I know You got it.” What I have learned from going through a number of these phases is, the times I feel like this is when I NEED to pray the most. These are the times that God wakes me up in the middle of the night for no apparent reason and as much as I desire to, I can’t go back to sleep. Or the times that someone just won’t leave my mind. After paying attention and realizing how detrimental NOT praying would be, I had to do something. And that something was to JUST DO IT!
We can’t rely on our feelings when it comes to something as important as praying. Despite the way we feel, we have to push past those unmotivated feelings until we get to the place where prayer isn’t contingent upon how we feel but just something we do, our second nature. What I learned is the more I prayed, the more I wanted to pray. But the moment I stopped, when it was time for me to pray, I honestly didn’t want to. What we feed most grows and what we starve dies.
Have you had these feelings before? You know you need to pray, but you just don’t feel like it? Join with me today and declare, “despite the way I feel, I will pray continually.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for reminding me of the importance of talking to You. I have struggled in the past with wanting to pray, please forgive me. As I am going through my day, continue to remind me that You created me to live in fellowship with You consistently. In the matchless name of Jesus, Amen!
Tavi J says
Yes I go through these times often! Thanks for writing this!
Steven Goodwin says
I think we all go from mountains to valleys at times in our lives in many areas of our walk. I know I have as well. Gotta keep feeding good stuff in to get good stuff out. We are dependent on Him, so we need to have a relationship with Him. Thanks for being open and transparent.
Rachael says
I wrote a post like this not too long ago! Sometimes we just “don’t feel like it.” I have ups and downs when it comes to prayer/bible/devotion/quiet time. I learned the same thing. We just have to do it! Great post!
ELIZABETH MARSHALL says
I go through these types of phases myself. I often find that if I take the time to sit and write out my prayers I have a lot more to talk to God about than I realized. Thanks for the reminder!
Mihaela Echols says
Yep like you said we might not feel like praying but it’s important.
Lisa says
Yup. Been there and you’re right: the only way to overcome it is to pray.
Amanda says
Sometimes we have to push ourselves to keep running the race. Prayer is so important but I too have felt, at times, like not doing it. You are right, we have to JUST DO IT!
Kristi says
So true…we cannot rely on our feelings. We have to rely on his truth!
De Bolton says
I think everyone goes through ebbs and flows of devotion. We are constantly at spiritual warfare. Like you when I am in these moods I know I need to come to God even more. It’s nice to know I’m not alone.
Kathleen Burnett says
Prayer is our conversation with our spiritual father. So, just like it is awkward to suddenly have a long chat with someone that you haven’t talked to in years, we can be reluctant to begin praying again after a period of silence. Your advice is great… Just do it!
Marie says
Guuurl, I’m with you. Sometimes I’m Like…LORD… YOU know what I need better than me just help me cause I don’t even know what to say.
and sometimes I do just sit in silence before prayer, not the same, I know but sometimes I do have to poke myself and say get to it girly. I’m with you