Reviving a Lukewarm Heart: Strategies for Praying When You Don’t Feel Like It
Do you ever find yourself going through the motions of prayer without any genuine passion or enthusiasm? Perhaps your heart feels cold, and your mind is distracted, making it challenging to connect with God. You’re not alone. Many Christians experience seasons of spiritual apathy, where their love for the Lord seems to have waned.
Praying About Prayer
When you’re struggling to pray, it can be helpful to pray about prayer itself. This may seem counterintuitive, but it’s essential to acknowledge your weaknesses and ask for God’s help. The Lord knows your heart better than you do, and He’s willing to kindle a fire that will warm your affections for Christ again.
Identifying and Confessing Sin
Sometimes, our resistance to prayer stems from unconfessed sin in our lives. If you know that you’re holding onto sinful habits or ignoring behaviors that oppose following Jesus, pray for the courage to confess and repent. Remember, you’ve been set free from sin, and you’re no longer a slave to it. Ask the Lord to help you walk in obedience and become the person you truly are in Christ.
Examining Your Heart
It’s not uncommon for our hearts to be deceptive, making it difficult to recognize areas where we need to grow. David prayed for God to reveal any wicked ways in his heart, and we can do the same. Regularly examining your heart helps you see yourself and God more accurately, remembering what Jesus did at the cross to reconcile you to a holy God.
Persevering in Prayer
When prayer feels hard, it’s tempting to give up. However, perseverance is key. Pressing forward in prayer is how we learn to really pray and get past the feeling of formalism and unreality. As Don Carson wrote, “We must pray long enough and honestly enough, at a single session, to get past the feeling of formalism and unreality that attends not a little praying.”
Practicing Prayer
The cure for praying with a cold, apathetic heart is prayer itself. We pray for God to help us obey, persevere, and abandon sins that entangle and distract us. We recite what is true about God and Jesus, reminding ourselves of our new status as heirs. Over time, the ice will thaw, and our hearts will warm, delighting in the presence and love of God.
Finding Accountability
You don’t have to pray alone. Finding a fellow church member to hold you accountable and pray for you can be a great encouragement. Prayer is an act of both obedience and gratitude, and having someone to support you can help you stay on track.
Remembering the Gospel
When you’re struggling to pray, remember the gospel. Focus on God’s character in Scripture, and meditate on passages that highlight His love and kindness. Fix your gaze on Christ, and recall the sacrifice He made for you. The cumulative effects of looking to Christ in Scripture will change the way you think about the Lord, warming your heart and reviving your prayers.
Conclusion
Prayer is a journey, not a destination. When you don’t feel like praying, remember that the Lord is invested in your prayer life. He’s willing to help you overcome obstacles and kindle a passion for prayer within you. By persevering in prayer, practicing prayer, and finding accountability, you can revive a lukewarm heart and deepen your relationship with God.
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