Trying to tell anyone the “proper” way to pray is futile work at best. Still, there are some things that one can do to get the most out of their prayer life. Praying comes fairly natural to folks when times are tough, but sometimes the prayer is angry and self defeating. This can lead to hostility and feeling as though God is not listening. The truth is, the freedom you can attain by praying to God is like nothing else in the universe if you allow it to be. Here are some tips on how to pray when times are tough, and how to walk away feeling relieved instead of angry:
Make Sure You Are Not Praying a Single Prayer
It is never a bad time to pray, so keep that in mind as you read this section. Still, if you are only praying when times are bad, you are shortchanging yourself and your relationship with God. God wants to share with you through prayer during the good times and the bad, and it is much easier to connect with him if you reach out during the good times also.
Find a Quiet Spot
When praying, it is vital that you spend some time in solitude. There is a ton of power to be had praying in the church and sharing that fellowship with others. This does not mean that a solitary prayer by yourself can not be highly effective as well. God is listening to us all the time, and will hear you in a crowded subway station, but He likes spending time alone with us in the quiet moments as well. Also, you will be much more likely to feel connected if you are alone with God.
Try Praying Outside Your Problems
Sometimes when I pray about my problems, I feel a huge sense of selfishness. This is because it is very easy to fall into the trap of feeling like I am the only one. When I begin to pray about the problems of others, it seems to open up the prayer a bit. I start to hear things more clearly in my mind, and God speaks a little louder. God likes it when we are thoughtful and caring about those around us. We should spend at least half of our prayer outside our own problems. The guilt will fade away when we do, and we can talk of our problems with a clean heart.
Remember that God is not Against You
Many people think that God makes things happen to us. Maybe they feel as though God is letting things happen to us. The truth is, we do not know what His complete plan is. We do not know if he is allowing, making or even involved in the works of our lives. My guess is that the Lord gets involved at the perfect times when it fits His broader plan. My heart knows He has the power to do anything. The truth is, some things we will know when we get to Heaven, and until then we are left to wonder. This is not a punishment from God.
Remember, God did not bite the apple. Eve did. God did not slay Abel. Cain did. Even today, God does not sin. People do. We make our choices and those choices sometimes hurt innocent people. God will protect you and I because He loves us. The end is not here on Earth.
