Why do I struggle to pray? 

This is a series of Q&A on the Christian Life. In many of the believers (chronologically young or old) I have personally interacted with, I have noticed a common trend of frustration in the areas they seek help and guidance. As I reflected on this and how to effectively stir them in the right direction, I realized the importance of providing clear instructions. You may find this relevant to you and those in your circle. If you don\’t need this at all, you will agree that someone you know might. Kindly share it with them. Shalom!

Prayer is evidence of a vital connection to God. If you struggle to pray, it means there is a desire to pray but you find it difficult to actually pray. You would rather do other things than pray.

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

John 15:1-8

This scripture shows us the organic structure of our relationship with God. Jesus is the vine; a vine is a tree. Father God is the husbandman; he works on the vine and keeps it healthy and fruitful. You and I are branches of the vine. The first action of the vine (Jesus) on you is to speak to you (the branch). He has already spoken to you in the entirety of the scriptures, which means you now have the responsibility to open up your Bible to read regularly. Your commitment to reading the Bible is your own obedient effort to remain tied to the vine (Jesus).

Remember, your goal for reading is to give Jesus the opportunity to speak to you, not merely to gain Bible knowledge. And when He speaks to you, you are being washed or cleansed – that is, you are being separated from elements of this world unknowingly at work in your life that the Word of God raises a red flag over. These are brought to your consciousness so that you can do something about them, namely confess that they are wrong, repent (turn away from them permanently) and forsake them (leave no opportunity for yourself to return to them).

As you must have noticed, this leads naturally (or organically) to praying. This is the organic process that generates prayers in your soul. Struggling to pray, therefore, might be a result of not exposing yourself to God\’s Word, where you are cleansed and brought seamlessly to pray. You would have also noticed God\’s strict intolerance for unfruitfulness.

The first fruit in John 15 is the fruit of relationship. \”Every branch in me…\” (verse 2). The next fruit is the fruit of righteousness. \”Now ye are clean…\” Once you have come to know the LORD, an initial and progressive cleansing work begins in your life. To become saved you had to renounce your old ways – you literally confessed your sins, repented, and forsook them. (NOTE: You are not saved if you did not do that.)

That is the initial cleansing. This cleansing continues in an organic (unforced) progression of Bible reading and study that draws out of you an affectionate yearning for the LORD. This longing is the root or generator of prayer. And you notice that areas of unconscious ignorance and disobedience are opened up and you respond in confession, repentance and forsaking of your sins.

Now, if you refuse to respond appropriately and adequately, even if you maintain a discipline of Bible reading/study, your \”un-righteousness\” will cancel out your relationship, which will definitely lead you to lack the desire to pray. We will look at other reasons why we may struggle to pray next time. However, for now, can you find out first if you are in a relationship with Jesus like a branch does to its vine? You won\’t find it easy to spend time with someone you don\’t have a relationship with, even if you had a relationship previously.

Secondly, is there any known aspect of unrighteousness in your life that you have not made right? You can\’t fulfil the condition in verse 3 to abide in Him in an unforced relationship and organic friendship if either one of these or both have indited you or called you out before the LORD to make amends. Will you respond to the LORD now?

Father, I open up my heart and life to You. Please have mercy on me.

Show me where my relationship has broken down with You

Point to the unrighteousness I already know or don\’t know

I am ready to remove anything and everything standing between me and You.

(Now, go ahead and pray your own prayers).

AMEN.