Let’s talk about prayer.
You know how it goes: you’ve been hearing about this spiritual practice your whole life. Everyone from pastors to writers has something to say about prayer, and yet, here we are, still wondering—what is it, really? How does it work, and why does it sometimes feel like trying to call someone who never picks up the phone?
That’s what I want to explore with you today. Not just to talk about it abstractly, but to make it something we actually think we could do—because I believe that’s where a lot of us get stuck.
We’ve all heard countless sermons and read all kinds of books on prayer. Some are practical, some are deep, and some make us feel like we’re running a spiritual marathon we didn’t sign up for.
But if we’re honest, whether you’ve been a Christian for six months or sixty years, there’s one thing we can all agree on: we need help. Prayer isn’t something that just happens because we decide we want it to—it’s something we grow into. It’s something we learn.
Feeling Stuck in Your Prayer Life? You’re Not Alone
There’s this idea floating around in Christian circles, isn’t there? That there’s a whole deeper level of spirituality out there. A world of experiences, of closeness with God, that most of us never quite reach.
We hear stories of people from the past—Augustine, the Puritans, maybe even your grandmother—and we think, “Well, sure, they could do it, but me? Not so much.”
But here’s the thing: God called you to live today, in this moment, in this generation. Not back then. We can’t teleport ourselves into some golden age of Christianity.
We have to ask: How can we walk with God right now? How can we, in 2024, with all our distractions, busyness, and doubts, live a life that feels genuinely connected to Him?
I believe there’s a vast spiritual landscape most of us haven’t even begun to explore.
And it’s not because we’re lazy or unspiritual—it’s because we’re often not sure how. But here’s something important to remember: we can’t change ourselves. You can’t make yourself more spiritual, no matter how many books you read or how many hours you try to pray. That’s God’s job.
Our role is simply to show up—to put ourselves in a place where He can do the work.
And that’s where prayer comes in.
Why Prayer is So Intimidating
If I asked you what you think of when you hear the word “prayer,” you might have a lot of different images come to mind. For some of us, it’s a peaceful moment, kneeling quietly in the morning.
For others, it’s a desperate plea in the middle of the night. But no matter what your experience, we all share this feeling that prayer is important, but also kind of elusive.
You might feel like William Carey, the great missionary who said, “Prayer—secret, fervent, believing prayer—lies at the root of all personal godliness.” Now, that’s a statement.
It’s the kind of thing that makes us stop and say, “Okay, if I really want to walk with God, prayer has to be central.”
But here’s where it gets tricky. We hear about people like Martin Luther who prayed three hours a day or John Wesley who said, “God does everything by prayer and nothing without it,” and we get discouraged. Because let’s be honest—who’s got three hours to pray every day?
But maybe we’re looking at it wrong. Maybe those people—Luther, Wesley, Carey—were like God’s Olympic athletes.
They were exceptional, no doubt about it. But that doesn’t mean you and I have to be spiritual couch potatoes. Most of us aren’t training for a marathon, but we can still take a jog around the block, right? We can start where we are and grow from there.
The Misunderstanding About Prayer
One of the biggest obstacles in prayer is philosophical. We ask ourselves, what’s the point? If God is sovereign and has already planned everything out, why bother praying at all? Isn’t it like offering your opinion in a meeting where the decisions have already been made?
This is where a lot of Christians, especially in churches like ours, get stuck. We wonder if our prayers really make any difference. It’s a logical question, right? Why would God need my input if He’s already got a plan?
But here’s the thing—prayer is more than just a formality. In some mysterious way, God has invited us to participate with Him in shaping the future. I know, that sounds big. But it’s true. Our prayers, under God’s blessing, can actually change things.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Isn’t that heresy? Can we really make God change His mind? I’m not saying we force God to do anything. But from our perspective, when we pray, it can feel like we’re influencing what happens next. Think about Moses. God was ready to wipe out the Israelites for their rebellion, but Moses interceded, and God relented. From Moses’ point of view, it looked like his prayer changed God’s mind.
That’s the power of intercession. Our prayers matter. They’re not just empty words bouncing off the ceiling. They are part of how God has chosen to work in the world.
Prayer Shapes the Future
Think about your church. Think about your family. Think about the generations to come. Prayer can shape all of that.
It can determine the future in ways we can’t even begin to understand. When we start to see prayer as more than just asking for things, but as partnering with God in His work, it changes everything.
Now, I’m not saying this is easy. Prayer is something we have to learn. Like anything else, it takes practice, patience, and yes, sometimes frustration.
You don’t wake up one day and become a prayer warrior. It’s more like learning to play an instrument—you start with a few notes, a simple tune, and over time, you get better.
There’s a quote from E.M. Bounds that’s always stuck with me. He said, “Men and women who have moved the world have had a developed prayer life.”
That’s the difference between spiritual mediocrity and real, vibrant faith. Those who have really made an impact—whether in their communities, their families, or the world at large—have all taken prayer seriously.
A Little Encouragement
But here’s where I want to encourage you. You don’t have to pray three hours a day. You don’t have to withdraw from society like Adoniram Judson, who prayed seven times a day at dawn, noon, and every three hours in between.
Those are the spiritual elite. But just because you can’t pray like them doesn’t mean you can’t pray at all.
You can start where you are. You can begin to pray a little more each day, a little more deeply, a little more boldly. And who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll find yourself praying longer, with more confidence, and seeing God work in ways you never expected.
Prayer doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s not about perfect words or long hours. It’s about showing up, about bringing your heart to God and trusting that He hears you. And that’s something we can all do.
Wrapping Up
So, what’s the takeaway here? Simply this: prayer matters. It’s not just something we do because we’re supposed to. It’s something that can shape the future, change our hearts, and bring us into closer fellowship with God.
If you’ve ever felt like your prayers don’t make a difference, let me encourage you to keep going. Start small, but start. And remember, God listens. He’s not distant or uninterested. He’s right there, waiting to hear from you.
Let’s not be spiritual couch potatoes. We don’t have to be Olympic runners, but we can take a jog around the block. We can all get a little more fit in our prayer life.
After all, we’re in this together, and God’s waiting for us to join Him in the incredible work He’s already doing.
If this article resonated with you, here are a few books that have been incredibly helpful for deepening my own understanding of God’s mercy and grace:
- E.M. Bounds on Prayer – A heartfelt exploration of the power of prayer.
- The Power of a Praying Life – A guide to living a prayer-filled life.
- Praying the Psalms – Learn how to incorporate the Psalms, including Psalm 51, into your prayer life.
Also, consider journaling your thoughts after praying. Here’s a beautiful prayer journal I recommend for capturing your reflections and prayers.
For a list of other essential Christian reads click here.
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