When you really love someone, you want to learn their preferences, their favorite color, favorite food, their dreams for the future. You want to do things for them…make them food, buy them a gift, help them when they’re in need, encourage them, etc. You want to spend time with them and talk to them.
The fourth possible reason you’re not hearing God:
4. You don’t spend enough time individually talking to Jesus.
*I’ll discuss corporate prayer time (praying in groups) in the next post.
I found 25 examples in the Gospels where Jesus prayed. I found at least two times when Jesus prayed all night, Luke 6:12-13 and Matthew 14:22-25. He went alone in the desert to pray and fast 40 days. Luke 5:16 says he was well-known for withdrawing by himself to pray. God gave Peter a special vision when he went up on a roof to pray. How much do you pray on your own?
For thousands of years, God’s people have linked prayer and Bible reading. They’re really two sides of the same coin. That’s why today’s thoughts are similar to my previous post. God speaks when you read your Bible and pray. If you don’t hear God as much as you would like, commit to spend more time talking and listening to Jesus.
For those who just made that commitment, did it feel like a New Year’s resolution to exercise more? When I read about Jesus’ prayer life, I don’t get the idea he had to will himself to pray, like he was following some diet plan.
When you have a healthy and love-filled relationship with someone, such “commitments” to spend more time together aren’t usually necessary. The New Testament says the Church is the bride and Jesus is the groom. Picture a newlywed couple. Ask yourself if they would say, “we need to spend more time together.” Doubtful. They’re probably spending TONS of time together. And they probably LOVE every minute of it.
If you just committed to pray more (and don’t get me wrong, that’s a good commitment), ask Jesus what’s going on in your relationship with him. Ask Jesus why you haven’t wanted to spend more time talking to Jesus. In Revelation, the last book in the Bible, Jesus spoke these words to a church in Ephesus, a city in ancient Greece: “You have forsaken the love you had at first (Revelation 2:4).” Has your love for Jesus faded over time?
Ask Jesus if your weak prayer life is a symptom of some deeper dysfunction in your relationship with him. Maybe you’ve never understood how much God loves you. Maybe you think you annoy God with your prayers. Maybe you don’t think you’re worthy talking to God. Maybe you still feel shame from past sins because you don’t understand Jesus’ offer of forgiveness. Maybe a poor relationship with your earthly father tainted the relationship with your Heavenly Father. Ask Jesus to heal these issues in your heart and increase your desire for prayer. Ask Jesus to bring you good counselors, pastors, mentors, books, sermons, etc. to help you pray and process your struggles. Don’t fight the struggle alone.
I believe Jesus will gladly teach you the reasons behind your weak prayer life. When he does, I think you will find yourself praying more and hearing Jesus more clearly. Of course, one way Jesus could teach you is through prayer. So, even when you don’t feel like it, keep praying!
Note: I wrote these posts to help the people I serve at my local church. We’ve started a two month journey of fasting and praying 4 prayers. But feel free to read along even if you’re not part of our church. I pray you find my words helpful.