SPEECHLESS...

It’s one thing to want to pray, it’s another to actually pray when you want to or know what to pray about. I was always a bit confused when I heard pastors talk about how they spend hours praying and I would think to myself, what in the world are they talking about for hours. I wondered how someone could talk to someone they did not physically see for more than a couple of minutes. I probably tried to do it and would maybe only keep it up for about 10 minutes and then get very discouraged, feeling like I was not putting in enough effort. This would then bring me down and even make me stop praying altogether. I am calling this period being SPEECHLESS; I want to pray, I don’t know how to and I don’t know how long is long enough, so rather than actually praying, I am just completely silent and getting frustrated. The reason for this could be attributed to the fact that I was trying to pray on my own. In one of my previous posts (COMMUNICATION), I talked about how when we are too weak for words and don’t know how to express ourselves and shared a Bible passage (Romans 8:26-28) which (paraphrased ) says, the Holy Spirit will interpret our groanings to God. In the same manner, when we do not know what to say (which is also expressed in the same verse), the Holy Spirit speaks for us.

Another thing that helps is speaking to people, with like minds, about it, I mean speaking to Christians specifically. Having a support system is very essential because there would be down times when you can’t pray or when your spirit is not as strong as it should be, it is essential to have a support system to help build you up and tell you how to put yourself back together. After speaking to some of my friends and also listening to some sermons I was able to come out of this state and start building my prayer life again. One of the things I realised from speaking to friends about this issue was that praying for hours or at least an hour is a growing process. Start with how long you can and be consistent with it. The key is consistency, it would lead to growth. The more consistent you are in praying, the more you grow and are graced with the ability to pray.

[2] Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, [3]Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. [4] Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4[NIV]

The most important thing is not to be discouraged or silent (Speechless), always persevere and understand that consistent prayer life is essential for your spiritual growth. So rather than focusing on the length of your prayer, focus on your connection with God. When you feel wary strengthen yourself with the Word of God and ask the Holy Spirit for help when you do not know what to say in prayers, do not be discouraged. Another thing that will help your prayer life is Speaking in Tongues if you have been filled with the Holy Spirit

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost

Jude 1:20[KJV]

God is always there to help us when we don’t feel up to the task or strong enough, the most important thing is to ask for His help and not be silent. But to have this connection with Him, you have to first surrender your life to Him if you have not.it does not take a huge ceremony or a bunch of activities, (at least here on earth, because the bible says that when a new soul is saved there is a celebration in Heaven), all you have to do is say a prayer of surrender to God, tell Him you have decided to surrender your life to Him, ask for His help to live a surrendered life, be honest about it, then watch Him show up for you in ways you could never imagine