I Don’t Know How To Pray, It Just Doesn’t Feel Heartfelt
Anonymous comments on the posting I Know I’m Not The Judge And It’s Not My Responsibility To Change Them
When things like this happen, it’s like I don’t know how to pray. It just doesn’t feel heartfelt like it’s supposed to be.
Beloved By Him replies…
Dear Sister,
It seems like there is a critical spirit plaguing you—critical of others and critical of yourself. These feelings will keep you spinning around and around, judging others and being frustrated with your own perceived shortcomings. The truth is, none of us are worthy or sufficient of ourselves to do what we need to do and be what we need to be. The only true saving grace we have is Christ Jesus and His power working in us to will and to do His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13).
I would encourage you to go back to the beginning and immerse yourself in learning about abiding in the love of God. When we realize how much love and mercy we are blessed to live in every day as His children, we can’t help but be changed. As we experience His love for us, it causes us to respond in love to Him and to others (I John 4:7-12). Even when we may not feel like loving the people in our lives, we will still want to be obedient to our Father—His love is that powerful and that irresistible. In other words, if we really love Him, we will want to obey Him, even if it’s a sacrifice.
Romans 12 is a great chapter when it comes to specific directions about how to treat people, even our enemies. It talks about love, devotion, patience, and living peaceably with the people around us. Try reading it and doing a little exercise: write down anything that speaks to you directly and could help you change your thoughts and actions, towards yourself and others.
Allow yourself to give and receive God’s grace, girl. It’s not our job to be a sin-sniffer. The apostle Paul didn’t want to rely on his own judgment of others or even himself—he wanted God to be the one to set things straight. He wrote about his feelings in I Cor. 4:3-5,
“As for myself, I do not care if I am judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. I know of no wrong I have done, but this does not make me right before the Lord. The Lord is the One who judges me. So do not judge before the right time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light things that are now hidden in darkness, and will make known the secret purposes of people’s hearts. Then God will praise each one of them.”
Don’t let your feelings of insincerity stop you from praying. The fact that you’re willing to try is a good start. Keep moving forward in faith and ask God to give you the strength you need and the sincerity of heart you want. Know that when you are praying God’s will, He hears you and is sure to answer (I John 5:14-15). God will be pleased with your faith and your willingness to pray in love for others (Heb. 11:6, I John 3:18). He will give you the ability to pray and will also give you the grace and love you need to do it with a heart like His. Just don’t give up! You can do all things through Christ Who strengthens you (Phil. 4:13).
Much love,
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