3 Things That Get in the Way of Praying

1. A Packed Schedule

I pray more when I have margins in my schedule. This is a no brainer but for some reason I keep going in circles when it comes to this hinderance to prayer. I think the reason is because I enjoy being needed and getting things done. If there’s something good that needs to get done and I can do it, I think to myself, “Why not do it?” If I can help my kids out, ease my wife’s hectic schedule, save some money and fix something on my own or spend some time with a discouraged friend, then why not do it? But prayer is born out of facing all the things we can’t do in life. We turn and cry out to the Lord because we can’t do something or we don’t know how to do something. But a busy life is usually busy because we are invested in what we can do. So when I’m consumed with what I can do, then I have less time to sit and think about the many things that are beyond my control but not beyond Christ’s love in me. But when I have time to sit and face the things beyond my control but not beyond the Spirit’s love in me, that’s when I start to pray.

2. An Unstressed Life

I pray when I’m in need. I cry out to the Father when a dear friend is diagnosed with cancer or with some illness that I’ve never heard of before. I plead with Jesus when a dad or mom has been laid off of work and they have children to care for, rent to pay and now a new job to find. I come before the Spirit when I’m stuck in conflict and yet I’m longing to respond with the humility and love of Jesus. I intercede before the Lord for friends when they are holding on to the truth that they are new creations in Christ, while at the same time fighting their old nature that’s betraying their sainthood. I pray when I or others are in need. But when life is not stressful, when family relationships are at peace, when friends are doing well, when my business plan is rolling out “as planned”, when I’m not sick, when the people I interact with are pleasant and respectful… that’s when I pray less.

3. A Conflicted Heart

Prayer is personal and intimate conversation with the Lord. It’s open and unhindered communication with one who knows us better than we know ourselves. So, if I am doing something or desire to do something I know is contrary to the Lord’s character, or if I am dwelling on things I know are not pleasing to Him… well, I’m not going to want to talk with Him. We experience this relational dynamic almost every day in our family, friends and work relationships. If you’ve failed to meet a deadline at work, you’re not going to want to go out to lunch with your supervisor. If you’ve cheated on a test or turned in copied homework, then you’re not going to stick around after class and chat with your professor. If you’ve chosen not to listen to your parent or ignored your spouse’s request, then you’re not going to initiate conversation with them. The same is true with the Lord. Your prayer life won’t move forward until you’ve faced the conflict you know is between you and the Lord.