Praying in difficult times.

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You might (not) be finding it hard to pray right now but we’re sure most of us will agree we’ve been there at some point. This seems like a block that most believers experience as we journey with God but we believe that it is one that we are empowered to overcome as we grow in our understanding of Him. We pray that you are greatly encouraged by this post to continue choosing Him even when it is difficult to do so.

When we use the term ‘pray’ we use it as a blanket statement for fellowship, communion, bible study, worship, etc. What happens when you’re in a place that these things don’t seem enjoyable? Or these things are difficult to do even though a part of you wants to do it? We don’t claim to know all the answers but, from our own experiences we will share. 

Let's start off with this, both of us individually have experienced times when we struggle (and when we say struggle, we actually mean struggle) with praying. These are periods that have lasted not for a couple of days but months. It has felt draining, we have questioned in those times, are we still worthy? Does God still love us despite our shortcomings? Do we still love God?

In those times, in the quiet, the still voice of God never ever failed to reassure us. Indeed, we are worthy. Indeed, he still loves us and that itself has brought a confirmation to us that we too, still love him. Now, here’s what we can say helped us in that time. 

One of the ways, we got ourselves out of that was through prayer. Now, this might seem confusing but let’s explain. We prayed with each other. We found that it was so much easier for us to pray as a group or do studies together than alone. 

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” - Matthew 18:20

This scripture came alive to us. There was no shame in admitting to one another when we were down. There was no pride in wanting to seem like we had it all together. We laid it bare before one another and even if the person was also struggling, the Holy Spirit made it so that we were both strengthened (Amazing, if you ask us!). We say this to encourage you that it’s okay. Share with your godly friends how you feel. There’s no prize for acting strong when you’re not. Go to your friends, not in pride, but in humility, trusting that God is faithful to strengthen you through them. The point here is please, ask for help.

Another practice that has helped us is journaling. Journalling became a form of prayer for us! All the words we couldn’t speak or sing, we would write them down. We would say all there was to say to God right there on that piece of paper. It was liberating. The best part is, in those moments, we would hear God speak to us even as we poured out the thoughts that filled our minds. We would receive strength, instructions and so much more just from that. It was an escape, it stilled our minds and more importantly, was a great reminder that God was right there and He was speaking.  If all you can write is “Lord, help me” , that is more than enough. It is an act of faith, it is prayer and it is you asking for help from the One who is able to send help therefore, you can expect help from Him because He, who is with you will surely help you. He already promised this in Scripture:

“The righteous man will call on me , and I will answer him; I will be with him in times of trouble; I will rescue him and honour him” - Psalm 91:15 NKJV

Rebuilding Trust has also helped us during these periods. We find that praying can sometimes be difficult when a part of us no longer believes God. Unbelief shows itself in different ways but when we carefully check our hearts and what we have been saying, it easier to identify patterns of unbelief and why we may be struggling to trust God which makes it difficult to pray. So we basically write down who God is to us and consciously remind ourselves of those things. Look back at testimonies and how God has been faithful to us. Honestly, it feels likes reading old love letters from God and it is such a great encouragement. It has even left us shedding real thug tears many times but helps to trust Him again and say a few words to Him.

Now that we’ve shared a few of what helped us with, we want to also share what we learnt having come out of such a time. 

As followers of Jesus, we tend to get used to the feelings and emotions we get when we spend time with God. We get ‘high’ on the way we feel when we worship God, or the way we get tingles when we pray or when we study the bible and the Word of God becomes life to us. We can get used to these feelings and we also agree, these feelings are great! But, what if we have idolised these feelings? Do we pursue the feelings or do we pursue God? So whether we feel tingles or not, do we still want to sit in the presence of God? The answer is we definitely should! 

Our relationship with God shouldn’t be guided by our emotions or our feelings because they are tangible and if we base it off of that, we cannot be sustained because there will be times where you will not feel anything but in those times, do you still trust God? Do you still believe that He is with you? Are His words still true to you?

We are to remember that even when we don’t feel like it, those are the times we need to choose. We must choose and we must choose Christ daily. It’s Christ over our emotions. Our emotions can’t be trusted. We’re happy now and 20 minutes later we’re sad or annoyed. Our emotions flail like the sail on a ship but one thing that remains steadfast and trustworthy is Jesus Christ and His love for us and so we must choose Him everyday.

Discipline and Consistency are very important in this walk with God. We saw a post of this quote sometime ago and it has really stuck with us. It goes:

“Pray when you feel like you’re talking to the wall, read the bible when you feel like you’re reading a blank sheet” 

Those words have never been truer because in those difficult moments, it can feel as though nothing is happening or those actions are pointless, but like David, we are reassured that:

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me” - Psalm 23:4

He is with you. You may not feel Him. But here’s what we’ll say, keep going back to Him. Keep choosing Him. Keep being faithful even when it may seem boring. Choose Him. Talk to Him

There’s so much to say about this but for now, we leave you with this. We pray for you that your fire for Jesus will continuously be set aflame and that the revelation of His love be continuously made known to you as a strength on your weak days. 

As always, we love to pray for you here.

With so much love, 

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