Prayer is hard at times…
Sometimes we are falsely taught that prayer is always easy, other times we falsely believe that it is a reflection on our “spiritual maturity” that it should not be a struggle, and that if there is, then there is something wrong with us!
Paul reminds the church at Ephesus and young Timothy that they as are we in a spiritual warfare and to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ in the midst of the spiritual conflict!-{Read Eph 6:12; 2 Timothy 2:3}
The FACT IS… Prayer is not always easy, it can be a real struggle, a real temptation to throw in the towel and give up rather than persevering.
- Consider the warning and motivation Jesus gives to His disciples to continue praying…”Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not become discouraged,”- {Luke 18:1}.
Prayer can be hard at times…, and often is…but don’t feel bad at times or guilty, as though there is something wrong with you spiritually…you have an enemy from WITHOUT- the devil, and world system, and from WITHIN- Self! Prayer at times can be hard because it is God’s way for His people and the evil one, the world and the flesh often oppose it!
Yet why do we believe that Prayer be Easy?
Sometimes it is a result of wrong teaching, that as A Christian it should always be “easy, effortlessly, so” And if you were “walking with the LORD you would not struggle!” And then we end up teaching others that, and so the false teaching is passed on. When in reality it is…False!
- Consider Jesus in Gethsemane struggled,.. Jesus, “… took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.” –{Matthew 26:37-28}
- Paul in Colossians 1:29 and 2:1 speaks of the energy exerted, his labor for the people
For we do not wrestle with flesh and blood Paul said, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”-{Ephesians 6:12}.
“Epaphras, who is one of you and a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. [He is] always striving for you in his prayers, praying with genuine concern, [pleading] that you may [as people of character and courage] stand firm, [spiritually mature] and fully assured in all the will of God.”-{Colossians 4:12}
Prayer is a battle, it is hard at times, don’t think it strange “when”– it is inevitable- that you encounter various obstacles, in the thoughts that come to mind, the circumstances you see or the feeling you feel that all seek to dishearten you and seek to tempt you to distrust God! They are part of the evil one’s intent to seek to tempt you to dishonor God by distrusting His promises and character, and to tempt you to…stop praying!! Subtle yet satanic!
The battle for your mind is an attack on your faith to tempt you to attack the character of God through doubting God, His Word, yielding to discouragement, or appealing to at times “self-righteousness” to somehow seek to manipulate God into bending to your will and what you want, rather than His will!
PRAYER’S PERSPECTIVE TO KEEP IN MIND
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-PRAYER IS CONFLICT; against demonic forces– {Read Eph 6:12}; Against a world system opposed to the glory of God. -{Read Rom 12:1; 1 John 2:15-17}; Against self, the enemy within!-{Read Romans 7:14-25; Luke 18:1}
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PRAYER IS CONFIDENCE IN GOD answering according to His will-{Read 1 John 5:14-15}
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PRAYERS PROMISES– Encouragement To feed your faith such as “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us HIS PRECIOUS AND MAGNIFICENT PROMISES.”-{2 Peter 1:3-4}.
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PRAYERS PRIVILEGE cost Jesus Christ His life so that you could have access to the Father! -{Read Romans 5:1-2}
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PRAYERS GOAL – The Honor, Fame of the Father’, His Kingdom being done in the matter, His will be done as the clearly defined ultimate goal!-{Matthew 6:9}. The heart of Prayer is revealed to us by the LORD Jesus. “Father… not My will Yours be done.”-{Luke 22:42}. Our will, wants, desires, life, and circumstances, all in submission to Him, that His will be the focus and finished objective in the matter and my life!!
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PRAYERS PARTNER – The Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we do not know how or what to pray. What glorious encouragement. We are not on our own-{Read Romans 8:26-28} PRAY ON…. and when it’s hardest to pray? Ask Him to help you to Pray on!!! And even that request is an act of faith as it is dependent upon the LORD. And in and of itself is PRAYER TO Him, as you turn your mind and heart to Him in dependence. And He honors faith in Him-{Read Hebrews 11:6}
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PRAYER IS SUBMISSION TO HIM – Our will, wants, desires, life, and circumstances, all in submission to Him, that His will be the focus and finished objective in the matter and my life!!”Father… not My will Yours be done.”{Luke 22:42}. And if or when we find ourselves having difficulty praying that, then ask Him for forgiveness and to incline your will to submission to His will… and that too is prayer!
YES, PRAYER CAN BE HARD AT TIMES… SO WHAT DO YOU DO?… We ask Him to Help us to Pray On Believing Him. PRAY ON!
WHY PRAY ON?
- Because GOD COMMANDS us to!-{Read 1 Thess 5:18; Luke 18:1; Phil 4:6}
- Because as we obey His command to pray we EXPRESS LOVE TO GOD!-{Read John 14:1}
- Because as we pray in Faith it PLEASES GOD- {Hebrews 11:76}
- Because it GLORIFIES GOD when we pray in faith-{Rom 4:19-21}
PAUSE AND…..PRAY! Thanking Him for the access you have to Him and the privilege to be able to bring all things and everything to Him in prayer-{Read Philippians 4:6}. 
God bless,
Aidan.