We must lay before Him what is in us, not what ought to be in us. It is so easy for me to pray what I believe I ought when I feel my prayers are too self-interested, too melodramatic, or otherwise utterly unsatisfactory for the God of the universe to hear. We must not pray what we ought out of fear of praying what we are.

Most days, it is more difficult for me to pray than it is for me to read my Bible.

I’m not exactly sure why this is the case. I think there are likely a handful of factors.

I think it can be difficult for me to pray for things like others’ health, work challenges, or other life circumstances because I know God is already aware of what troubles me, ails others, and threatens the world. And not only is he aware of these things, but he knows how they will resolve because he already exists on the other side of their resolution.

That makes it difficult for me, mentally, I think, to ask God to intervene in the here-and-now—even if I cognitively know the transformative power of prayer in the timeline of God’s workings in his creation. My knowledge of what is true doesn’t always color my wonder of what is real.

Sometimes it feels like in prayer that, at best, I’m telling God what he already knows about problems he’s already resolved through solutions he hasn’t yet revealed.

Likewise, when I get over that mental obstacle, it can be difficult for me to maintain focus in silent prayer. I know I’m not alone in this.

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