Struggling To Pray: Here are Some tips to help build A Stronger Prayer life.

Keep in mind that prayer is essential to building your personal relationship with God. It is also a way for us to fight the enemy in the spiritual realm.

Guidance for prayer

Group Prayer is powerful

Prayer is an essential aspect of many people's spiritual lives, but it's not uncommon to feel stuck or overwhelmed when it comes to praying. If you have been struggling to pray trust me, you're not alone. Below are a few tips to get you started:

Deuteronomy 4:7

7 What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?

Prayer is the key to getting close to God. It's also a way to strengthen the Holy spirit in you. This is a very important aspect in a christian's life. It is the way we are able to commune with our creator.

Philippians 4:6 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Mark 11:24 - Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

#1 - Find a quiet place alone before you start if possible. Address God: Begin by addressing God in a way that feels natural to you, such as "Dear God," "Heavenly Father," or "Lord."

Being in a quiet place with no distractions is a great way to focus on what you want to say to God. Sometimes, we can't be in silence or we are not in a private space. Try and step into an area away from others and whisper a quick prayer if you are feeling the need to or are stressed out.

Matthew 6:6 Teaches of God's Rewards for Those Who Pray

He says, “When you pray, go in your room, shut the door and pray to your father who is in secret,” like nobody else but you and God, “and your father who sees in secret will reward you.” That's a promise.

#2 -Express Gratitude: Start by expressing gratitude for the blessings in your life. You might say something like, "Thank you, God, for this day and for all the blessings in my life.

1 Timothy 4:4 says, “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving.”

When I first started getting into the habit, I would ask for God to Change my heart and mind. I would also ask him to remove anything in me that was not from him or in his will. One thing that helped me remember to pray everyday was to set my alarm to go off every morning at a certain time. Pick a time that is when you are at your best.

#3 Praise God: Offer praise to God for His greatness and goodness. You might say something like, "Holy God, you are the creator of all things and worthy of all praise."

Hebrews 13:15-16. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. When the peace of Christ rules in our hearts, thankfulness overflows.

#4 Ask for Forgiveness: If you have sinned or done something wrong, ask for forgiveness. You might say something like, "Lord, I am sorry for my mistakes and ask for your forgiveness."

1 John 1:9. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Asking for forgiveness is very important. Sometimes we commit sins that we are unaware of. These are called sins of omission. The sins we intentionally commit are called sins of commission because we commit them. I always try and ask for forgiveness even if I don't think I have done anything wrong.

 #5 Make a Request: If you have a specific need or request, ask God for His help. You might say something like, "God, please help me to find peace and strength in this difficult time."

God is a big God. He can do all things. We do have to keep in mind that some things we pray for are not in God's will. His will is of course is the best choice for our lives. Our minds are not like his. Sometimes we let our hearts rule our decisions and thoughts but we are living outside of his will. We must pray for him to keep us in his will. There are times when God might not answer a prayer or give you what you want. This might be when we are wanting something not good for us or not in his will.

Daniel 10:12-13

12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. 13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.

Don't Give Up: Remember that prayer is a practice, and like any skill, it takes time to develop. Don't be discouraged if you don't see immediate results. Keep at it, and you'll likely begin to see the benefits over time. We can't see what is going on in the invisible world around us. You never know how long it takes for prayers to get answered. The enemy is always against us.

Daniel 6:10-12

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

Remember, prayer is a personal and intimate conversation with God, so there is no right or wrong way to start a prayer. Just speak from your heart and let your words flow naturally. Use a Prayer Guide: If you're not sure where to start, consider using a prayer guide. Many books and websites offer suggestions for prayers on various topics, from thanksgiving to confession. Find a Prayer Partner: Praying with someone else can help keep you accountable and make the experience less intimidating. Consider asking a friend or family member to pray with you regularly

God's love for us surpasses our deepest love. We can't even comprehend the vast love and plans he has for us or what he does for us in the unseen realm. He is always working and fighting for us even when we don't feel it. He is there.

Romans 5:8 - But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Being consistent in prayer can help you build a strong foundation in your faith. Having strong faith can help you then put your full trust in the Lord. This is what he wants us to do as his beloved children. Find a way that works for you and remember, don't just pray when your life is in a slump or something bad happens. Always be thankful for what you have because whatever you're going through, it can always be worse.