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When I Don't Feel Like Praying – Guest Blog by Loretta Eidson

by | Apr 25, 2016 | , , , | Guest Blogs | 9 comments

When I first read this blog by my friend Loretta Eidson, I knew I had to share it with you. Prayer is something we all struggle with from time to time. Loretta’s heartfelt post will touch you. Take it away, Loretta!
When I Don’t Feel Like Praying by Loretta Eidson
It’s when I don’t feel like praying . . . that prayer matters most.
When I am weak, He is strong. As the lyrics state in Jesus Loves Me, a famous 1860 Christian hymn by Anna Bartlett Warner:

Jesus loves me this I know

For the Bible tells me so

Little ones to him belong

They are weak but he is strong.

A co-worker once told me that I had a dark cloud hanging over my head. He shoved his chair away from the desk and twirled a pen between his fingers. “When it rains, it pours.” It was his way of letting me know he saw the constant dilemmas I faced that ripped pieces out of my heart.
He was right, or at least it seemed so. For several years that dark cloud followed me everywhere I went. By the time I trudged my way through one problem, another arose. Sometimes, multiple situations attacked me all at once.loretta 1
Did I “want” to pray? No.
But, by not praying, I would be surrendering to the belief that my life would never change, and admitting God wasn’t the all-powerful God I had originally trusted. So, I forced myself to pray.
Though my faith in seeing a breakthrough weakened, I still prayed. Some prayers were mere “God help me” or “God, are You still there?” At least hope wasn’t lost and I acknowledged His existence. Honestly, if my encounters back then, was that painful with him, I was horrified to think of living through trials without him.
Like me, most everyone has encountered suffering. Maybe someone is presently walking under his own dark cloud. Some things are easily discussed, but then there are other issues that forces him to suppress it for various reasons. Too painful. Too humiliating. Too agonizing. Too controversial.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NIV

I’m no theologian…if you can’t tell already…
…and I certainly don’t have all the answers. But I know the One who does. I am a survivor. Yes, a survivor of some gut-wrenching life experiences that could have destroyed me and my faith. But through his mercy and grace, I survived. He pulled me from the enemy’s grip of defeat and answered my prayers. That’s why I know I have to pray even when I don’t feel like it. I must press through personal barriers and surrender it all to Him.
loretta2It’s okay if my prayer is laden with a river of tears, fists pounding the air, screams being yelled at the ceiling, or spiteful accusations. God was with me then, and he’s here with me now.
Like a child running to her father, He scoops me into his arms and holds me tight. He listens to my venting and comforts me. He challenges me to let go of the heaviness that blocks my heart from receiving His grace and peace. He even challenges me to forgive. Oh, that’s a tough word…forgive.
Even if I don’t feel Him. He is still there. He overshadows me and summons me to draw closer, because he never moves. It is I who ventures away or shuts Him out.
Amazingly, when I take the initiative to utter a prayer, He is there. He throws the door open and listens to my every concern. My weight becomes lighter and my hope for tomorrow grows brighter.
We live in a real world with real problems and a real God with unlimited, unconditional love. Though life happens, God has seen me through some unimaginable situations with my family. He picked up the shattered pieces of my heart and healed my brokenness.
Now, I am complete in Him regardless of the daggers Satan throws my way. You can be too, if you will trust Him. You can find the true meaning of “peace that passes all understanding” just like I did.
Will you choose to pray? Even if you don’t feel like it?

9 Comments

  1. csharbrough

    I am going to print this out – what a beautiful post (and so relevant for me today).

    Reply
    • Darlene L. Turner

      Hi Christine! There are so many days when we don’t feel like praying, isn’t there? Loretta captures this beautifully. Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
    • Loretta Eidson

      So glad this spoke to you. It’s in the tough times I keep reminding myself that I only have to have mustard seed faith. Blessings!

      Reply
      • Loretta Eidson

        And to keep praying, even when I don’t feel like it!

        Reply
  2. Diane Spearing

    Prayer is an amazing connection and intimacy with God. I love talking with my precious God… He is such a great husband and father. I am blessed to call him mine!

    Reply
    • Darlene L. Turner

      Most definitely, Diane! Isn’t it awesome to know we can share anything with Him?!

      Reply
    • Loretta Eidson

      Diane, isn’t it amazing how God steps in when we trust Him with our lives. I cannot imagine life without Him to talk to!

      Reply
  3. Loretta Eidson

    Darlene, thank you for allowing me to share on your blog to day. It is my prayer that others will find peace in the midst of their trials as they pray, even when they don’t feel like it. Thank you, Friend!

    Reply
    • Darlene L. Turner

      Loretta, it’s my pleasure! I loved this blog when I first read it and knew I had to share it so my readers could also hear what God had laid on your heart. Prayer is so important to us. Thanks for being here on my site this week! Bless you, my friend! xo

      Reply

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