Prayer can sometimes be one of the toughest things to do
because sometimes we just don't feel like it.
We're too tired or too busy, and honestly, there's just so many other things to do.
So let's just put it off.
One big obstacle to overcome when praying is having the strength
to overcome the temptation to put off prayer.
Prayer should be one of the most important parts of our day,
because in it we connect ourselves to God, our source of strength.
Without God, we can't do anything.
So we need to do everything we can to combat our unwillingness to pray.
So in this video, we will cover three great motivators
that will hopefully help lead you to a greater communion with God.
Motivator number one Think of the enemy.
Ephesians 612 reads four.
We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age.
Against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
One reason why you need to pray right now
is because there is a battle going on right now.
Your friends and family are being targeted.
You are being targeted.
The Bible teaches that our enemy is not flesh and blood,
which means we don't have an enemy that we can physically see.
We fight against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, hosts of wickedness.
Specifically, our fight is against demons.
But why doesn't it just say demons?
Because in the same way, where heavenly angels have different classifications
cherubim, seraphim, arc angels, demons also have classifications.
Principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, spiritual hosts of wickedness.
When it comes to demons, they also have order.
So if you're a Christian, you need to wake up and see the world around you.
Souls are going to hell as we speak.
Demons are plotting your ruin, your destruction.
They're observing you lying in wait, seeking to strip you of your power
and effectiveness.
And their plans don't stop there.
To your unsaved friends, they seek their company in Hell's Flames.
Demons don't want you to pray, because if you pray,
you will connect yourself to God Almighty and that will mess up their evil plans.
God answers prayer
and by connecting yourself to God, you will be strong for the battle today.
So when you feel unmotivated to pray,
think of the enemy and open your eyes to see what's at stake here.
Motivator number two Think of your need.
Some 3318 to 21 reads Behold the eye of the Lord is on
those who fear Him, on those who hope in His steadfast love,
that He may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the Lord.
He is our help and our shield for our heart
is glad in Him because we trust in his holy name.
Guys, we just talked about the odds being stacked against us.
The world is a battleground with real casualties
and we can be seriously hurt.
We need God's deliverance. We need Him.
He is our help, our shield, and our source for life.
John, Chapter five says that apart from Jesus, we can do nothing.
So any strength you have, any energy you possess or any knowledge you own,
all of it came from God.
In this crazy
world, full of corruption, hatred, bitterness, perversion and wickedness.
We need God to lead us, to protect
us, to teach us through this chaos and see us through these battles.
So don't just pray because you think you need to
and because you're a good Christian and all your motivation
for prayer, because you actually need it.
And motivator number three.
Think of God's heart.
In Matthew Chapter 11 versus 20 to 30, Jesus is speaking.
Come to me all you who labor
and are heavy laden and I will give you rest,
take my yoke upon you and learn from me For
I am gentle and lowly and heart And you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
I think one of the biggest reasons why we don't want to pray
is because we fail to see who God is.
You see, God is not some impersonal God way up in the sky so far from us.
Sometimes we look at all the rules we have to follow and we can see God
is boring.
But the reason why He gives us those rules is to protect us.
You see, the key to prayer is looking at God's heart.
So are you tired?
Are you emotionally spent?
Exhausted, burned out?
Look at
how Jesus welcomes us with open arms.
And what does Jesus offer?
When we reach such a low place.
He offers rest.
And why does he offer rest?
Look at Jesus.
His heart in this passage, he says.
For I am gentle and lowly and heart.
The God of the universe says, Yes, I'm powerful and yes, I'm in control.
But he also says, I'm gentle
and I'm lowering myself
so I can give you rest for your weary soul.
So if you're unmotivated to pray,
forget about the fact that you have to in order to be a good Christian.
Look at Jesus as death on the cross.
Look at his open arms.
Look at his grace.
His patience. His mercy. His forgiveness. His salvation.
Look at his heart for you.
His heart is gentle. His heart is lonely.
And his heart is to give you rest
and to pour into you love and life for today.
So if you don't feel like praying, I hope this video motivates you.
And I pray that you see the enemy that you see or need,
and more importantly, that you see how much Jesus loves you.
God bless.