There can be no doubt that the early Christians fervently believed in prayer. From the very beginning we find saints continuing “steadfastly...in prayer” (Acts 2:42.) They talked with God on account of persecution ( Acts 4:24-31) and gathered at the home of Mary to pray when Peter was imprisoned (Acts 12:1-12.) Paul and Silas were found praying and singing at midnight in a Philippian jail (Acts 16:25.)

Paul made prayer a habit and frequently mentioned those who were close to him in those prayers. In Romans 1:8-9, he made mention of the Romans “without ceasing” in his prayers. Similar statements are made in other letters he wrote to various churches and individuals. With Paul, prayer was a vital part of the Christian life.

Is it so with saints today? How often we regulate prayer to a time in our lives when trouble is brewing but the rest of the time we “forget.” There are many habits we could get involved in that should cause us remorse because they are bad habits. But prayer is one habit we should never be ashamed of. Certainly it can replace those bad habits.

Most Christians will admit that their prayer life could use more attention to get to that example of the early saints. Paul said to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thes. 5:17) and with such an admonition, why is it that we don’t pray as often or as fervently as we should?

Maybe we carry about so much guilt that we feel unworthy to talk to God. We use our mouth to gossip about someone or we do something we know is wrong, but we do it anyway. We disappoint ourselves and God by our conduct and then say to ourselves that God will never listen to us. But he will.

Sometimes we fill our schedules so full that there is no time for prayer. We have long hours on the job, there are children to get to ball or band practice, the yard needs mowing, there are places to go, and many other chores that need tending to.

To unwind after a busy day, we usually sit in front of a TV. Maybe we should replace that with some time spent in prayer.

Boredom is sometimes a problem. The same prayer is offered in the evening that was offered that morning. No imagination or speaking from the heart. Just the same prayer time after time, day after day, month after month until interest is lost because of boredom. Prayer is mechanical and boring and then the mind wanders. Frustration sets in and we come down hard on ourselves with guilt because we can’t spend 15 good minutes talking to God without our mind wandering. So why bother?

Sometimes we doubt that prayer really works. We ask God to save the soul of a loved one but then we are the ones who study with them. So it appears we answer our own prayer. We want God to heal us when we are sick but then we go to the doctor so it appears we answer our own prayer. If we are answering our own prayer, why bother? But appearances can be deceiving and we need to look deeper into our prayers and God’s answers.

Some don’t pray as they should because there is a feeling that God already knows what the needs are, so why bother repeating something God already knows. We know what we would feel like if a loved one came to us and we knew what they were going to say already (sometimes that really is the case.) We tend to get a little annoyed in such circumstances so we can only imagine how an all-knowing God would feel. God does know our needs before we ask but we are still to ask (Matt. 6:8.)

There are times in life so difficult that we don’t know what to pray for leaving us feeling inadequate to . We don’t know how to approach God. But the Spirit is there to help us in those times (Rom; 8:26.) Also, we often don’t know the will of God and that renders us unable to ask God for the right things. There are many life choices, with 2 or more sound options, but which is right? Do I take that good paying job to support my family and move away, or do I stay where I am and help that struggling congregation I am now a part of? What do I say to God - what choice do I make. The confusion hides our ability to pray effectively.

There are many things and ideas that cause us to get bogged down in our prayer life and those mentioned here are but a few of them. But the New Testament gives us the explanations we seek to help sort out the issues and get us to an effective and habitual prayer life. Next issue we seek those answers.

Stay tuned.