Obstacles to Prayer: Doubting Benefit
"You do not have, because you do not ask" — James 4:2.
James makes it clear that there are benefits that come exclusively from prayer, but one obstacle to prayer in my life is that I doubt the benefits.
As with fear and pride, this isn’t an intellectual barrier. I know God can and does answer prayer, and that these answers are good. Furthermore, there are clear commands to pray, and I believe that God’s commands are for our good, therefore praying is good for me.
However, there is a doubt that frequently creeps up in my mind. It asks questions like "If God is omniscient, why do you need to tell Him what He already knows?" or "Would God really withhold good things from those He loves just because they don’t ask?" Sometimes I apply this doubt to my belief in predestination, asking "If God has already chosen those He has chosen, then what good is praying for the salvation of others?"
I like to understand things; I can become frustrated when I don’t understand things. I don’t understand how or why prayer works. It is hard for me to accept that prayer does anything, yet James 5:16 says "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
In my experience, the best way to get over these doubts is by just jumping in. It is hard to wonder whether or not praying has benefits if I’m experiencing a sweet joy in prayer. Even when I am experiencing seasons that feel spiritually dry or my prayers are painful wrestlings, there is a certain joy that comes with prayer. While it is good to remind myself of this, I find it works even better to taste of it again.
I don’t foresee writing another post on obstacles to prayer in the near future, so I’ll open this up as a question: what obstacles hinder you from praying? On a related note, what encourages you to pray?
You might also like Erik Raymond’s (Irish Calvinist) answer to the question "Is prayer for us or for God?"
I found a sermon by pastor John earlier this year to be encouraging: "Praying in the Closet and in the Spirit."
Comment from Deb E on February 24, 2010 at 11:07 AM CST
I have grappled with this very thing, and continue to struggle through it. I think it has been going on with me for about 10 years now, since my mother began her battle with dementia, which she ultimately lost. By the time of her death, she only knew my father.
Mom is with Jesus now, and has been for 8 years next month. She is rejoicing at the foot of God's throne and someday I'll sing praises with her. And although I think I have come to terms with my frustrations with God for allowing such a godly servant of his to go through the mental anguish of dementia (my basic conclusion is that God is God and I am not), I still struggle with prayer.
Was there any benefit to the prayers for my mother? Also--she prayed fervently and often with tears for the salvation of my dad. Thus far I see no fruit from those prayers. And I know that so much of the struggle of the past 10 years has had a negative impact on my own prayer life.
Weirdly I don't have any problems praying for others. But praying for myself? That part of my prayer life is gasping for breath.
No answers here. But at least maybe you realize you aren't alone in your struggles.
Comment from Jennifer on February 26, 2010 at 7:07 PM CST
Deb,
Thank you for sharing.
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