Lorain County Free-Net Chapel

Bible Study Discussion Topic

Why Is It So Hard for Christians to Pray?

May 11, 1998

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Bible Study Questions

  1. Why does it seem that many Christians turn to prayer as "a last resort"?
  2. Why is it so hard for Christians, in times of crisis, to seek God for their desperate needs even when they know the promises of God?
  3. Prayer is one of the many "gifts" of salvation. If we as Christians don't spend time with God in prayer (getting to know Him, hearing His voice), how do we expect to know Him and hear His voice when we are in the midst of fiery trials?
  4. How do you think God feels about His children neglecting to spend time with Him?
  5. Hebrews 10:19-22 assures us of total access to the Father because of the cross. There are also many powerful warnings about the dangers of neglecting prayer. Why do we neglect prayer?
  6. What does "lukewarm" mean? What does Jesus mean when He says, "...thou hast left thy first love?"
  7. What are the symptoms of being a "lukewarm" Christian?
  8. What does "priority" mean?
  9. Where is God on your list of priorities? (Be honest!)
  10. Is it possible to really "know" the Lord without spending intimate, one-on-one time with Him?
  11. Many Christians have learned to live without prayer, filling their time with good activities and works. But on that Day when we appear before Christ, what will Jesus say to them? (See Matthew 7:21-23)
  12. TRUE or FALSE - A prayerless life makes us less dependent upon God and more dependent upon man and our own flesh.
  13. Do you ever get discouraged because you don't believe God hears your prayers? Or that your prayers go unanswered?
  14. If Scripture says that God hears the cries and prayers of His children (and His Word never lies), yet we say, "God doesn't hear my prayers," isn't that like accusing God of "child neglect"?
  15. James sites a reason why God doesn't answer some prayers. What is that reason? (See James 4:3).
  16. Jesus said, "Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive" (Matthew 21:22). If we don't believe that prayer works, isn't that like calling God a liar?
  17. What is one of the reasons for delayed answers to prayer?
  18. Take a moment to examine your own prayer life. Does it fall into any of these categories? 1) Lukewarm love for Jesus 2) Perverted priorities 3) Learned to live without prayer 4) Don't believe that God hears your prayers
  19. "...they that seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing" (Psalm 34:10b) Your answers to prayer may not come overnight, yet God WILL do His work, in His time and in His way. Your part is to believe He is faithful to answer. Do you believe this? (If you are struggling with believing this, please read Mark 9:14-27. Pray as the father did in verse 24, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" And Jesus will!)
  20. If you are struggling with any area of your prayer life, go to the Lord and confess your lack of prayer. Remember, "If you confess your sin, He is faithful and just to forgive your sins, and cleanse you from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9). It's a promise!

Join the Discussion!

From: A friend
Date: Sat, 8 Aug 1998
Subject: David Wilkerson hit the nail on the head

I know I am guilty of not making prayer a priority in my live. Life has become so fast paced that it is easy to let the cares of this world smother any efforts to prayer. I believe it is easy to get comfortable with how life can take a pace of its own and a priority all its own. I certainly hope that I can change this pattern and priority in my life.


From: A friend
Date: Sat, 25 Jul 1998
Subject: prayer

This sermon was excellent and really helped me a lot. It has always been difficult for me to pray because I really did not understand how to fully until I read your sermon.


Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1998
From: Charles Haywood
Subject: Prayer

Prayer is so good. Just think - we have a Father in our lives and He loves us! I am so thankful for prayer and to know Jesus and to know that He hears our prayers!


Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1998
From: Evelyn Uyemura
Subject: why it's hard to pray

Oh, my! I've never heard the words of Jesus saying, "Depart from me--I never knew you" applied to people who don't spend time praying and getting to know the Lord. Yet it parallels what Jesus said to the church at Laodicea--He threatened to Spit them out of his mouth. How strong! How dangerous!


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