What Keeps You From Praying?

Do you ever struggle to enter into prayer? Although I have had seasons of what felt like rich feasting in prayer, I have also felt at times like I was avoiding God. Can you relate? In recent months, something has been hindering me from wanting to pray. I found myself struggling to even know how to begin my quiet time. I finally decided to acknowledge this feeling to God.
 
As I slowed down, asking for God’s help, I became aware of fleeting thoughts in the background of my brain. “God is disappointed in you,” “Are you STILL struggling with that sin?” and “God’s waiting for you to finally change.” The devil is so sneaky that I hardly noticed these thoughts (which are actually his lies), but it was definitely impacting my view of God as fed up, frustrated, and exasperated with me.
 
I then knew what I had to do—find the truth that dispels this false picture of God. Here is what I found: First, my God is not exasperated with me! In fact, he is incredibly patient in nature as Exodus 34:6 states, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (RSV). Second, He longs to hear from me! Revelation 3:20 proclaims, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come to him and eat with him, and he with me" (RSV) and James 4:8 declares, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (RSV).
 
From these scriptures, it is clear that God’s posture toward you and me is one of eagerness, ready to receive us as we are. His longing to commune with us is real and doesn’t diminish with time, no matter how many times we fail. Knowing this truth about God made me eager to pray! It removed that hesitation I had before. I now keep these verses printed on the outside of my journal to remind me of God’s posture toward me as I pray.
 
Sisters, what keeps you from praying? What hinders you from running into his presence? What distortions about God are swimming in your consciousness? Let me encourage you to take the time to name them. And then reflect on what is TRUE about God so you can dispel the lies. Look up verses that you can hold onto that reflect the truth about God’s character. If you engage in this practice, you will be obeying God’s directive through Paul to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
 
The enemy would love to keep you from enjoying God’s presence. But let me leave you with a truth that I hope will encourage you to keep running to him. No matter how far you may feel from God, his love is right there, so much closer than you could imagine, as Paul wrote in Romans 8:38-39, “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NLT).

Beckie Fanous lives in Northern California with her husband and 11-year-old daughter, whom she currently homeschools. She also has two college-age/young adult sons. As a pastor's wife for roughly 20 years, NEWIM has been a lifeline of support through Springs Retreats, Pastors’ Wives Retreats, and online support groups. 

Beckie began her ministry career with InterVarsity as a campus minister for nine years which led to church planting and eventually other ministry roles in children's and women's ministry. 

Through multiple curveballs and challenging life experiences, Beckie has discovered the surprising joy of a closer walk with her Shepherd. She is passionate about helping others turn hardship and heartache into opportunities to take a step closer to him. Her favorite things include taking trips with family, walking with friends, cooking, reading, and writing.

For more of her reflections, visit 1stepcloser.blog.