Do you find prayer difficult? I'm not talking about the "Now I lay me down to sleep" or the "Thank you for the food" prayers. I'm talking about the prayers that require concentrated, consistent fellowship with our Heavenly Father. Constant prayer is most difficult. I have read many books on the subject, but reading books and listening to sermons does not guarantee a successful prayer life.
Whenever I seemingly carve out a period of time to be alone and talk with my Father, my best Friend, I am inevitably interrupted with anything that Satan can use to distract. Someone needs me right now, I have an important phone call, or I remember something that I forgot to do. The list goes on and on.
Sometimes, fellowship in prayer is special and sweet; but other times, I just don't feel like praying. I don't want to sit still and concentrate on prayer. Praying later would be a better time for me. But that thing I was reminded to pray for seems to slip my mind later. And sometimes, later never comes.
Prayer can be hard work. I can talk to a close friend for hours and it doesn't seem like work, but focusing on talking with Someone Who I can't hear audibly is difficult. Opening my eyes while praying brings many distractions, but closing them makes me sleepy. Even with closed eyes, I am still distracted with thoughts that interfere with prayerful concentration.
No wonder God's Word places so much emphasis on persevering in prayer. It can be really difficult. Paul's exhortation in Ephesians 6:11-18 tells us to put on the whole armor of God before praying. Prayer is a spiritual battle. But prayer opens the door to many blessings that come in no other way.
We need to carve out an extended daily prayer time, but we also need to engage in many short prayers throughout the day as prayerful thoughts come to mind. Answering the call to the prayer battlefield is not easy, but we need to be diligent soldiers and answer whenever we hear the call no matter how long or how often the battle. Prayerfully ponder that!
