When You Don’t “Feel” Like Praying

I LOVE my relationship with God. I treasure it like I treasure nothing else!

I don’t know where I would be, the kind of person I would have become by now if it were not for having a personal daily relationship with my Creator.  From time to time, I go through things in my life that leave me no choice but to draw close to Him. It is in these times that I fall in love with Him…again and again.

This world is so evil, full of so much darkness and lies everywhere. It would be so easy to get caught up in it if I didn’t have my Refuge, and my Rock by my side every day.

It’s not easy sometimes. I do make sure to spend daily quality time with Him reading his word, hearing what he has to tell me, learning, and being challenged to make changes in my heart, and spending time to pray and talk to him and often times cry out to him. However it’s not every day that I “feel” as close to him as I do on other days.

My emotions can toy with me sometimes, I have days that I’m not feeling so inspired to pray. I have days that I don’t really want to talk to anyone about how I may be feeling.

Yet, the one action that never fails is the decision to put my feelings aside and read God’s word, to see and listen to what he says. It is then that I get humble and pray and communicate to those close to me how I feel and often times get much encouragement by doing so.

Lately I’ve been reading the book of Mark. Wow! I thought the book of John was the best thus far, but now, I am not so sure anymore :):) Of course all the gospels are amazing, but in Mark I’m seeing Jesus from a different angle. 

In Mark, one thing I have really noticed is Jesus spending quality time with his disciples training them. He’s almost always with them, except for those times he spends one on one with his Father.

Then I realize why I’ve been inspired more lately in my times with God-it’s because I’m seeing Jesus words directly talking to me through Mark.

I’m seeing Jesus in action. It is this way that I will be refined and will learn how to be a better disciple. I am also challenged. Very challenged. I’ve had to search my heart and ask myself if the things I do on a daily basis are inspired by routine, or by Jesus?

It’s easy to get caught up in routine. Service every Sunday and midweek on Thursdays, a bible study here and there, work every day and all that comes with it. I do\’t often have Jesus in the forefront of my mind. I don’t often pray. I pray daily, yes, in the mornings, but what ever happened to Ephesians 6:18 and Philippians 4:6?

I realized yesterday that I can talk to God anytime I want. ANYTIME. Wow! How often do I take advantage of this incredible privilege? Not often. So I made a decision to change that. If Jesus did it (and he most certainly did!) then so will I.

I was talking and praying with a sister in Christ the other day who was feeling down and discouraged. After praying together, her face changed. She was lighting up more, I saw the joy being restored to her soul.

Sometimes we need those times when we need someone to pray with us, because we may not be “feeling” up to it. I’m so grateful for the church, for my sisters and brothers who can pray with me, especially when I’m in most need.

I’m so thankful to have this means to be able to share with others what I am learning and I hope it can encourage and inspire 🙂