God’s gift . . .
Keep Praying Even When It’s Hard,
Even When You Feel Like Quitting
Pray, hope, and never give up.
God is merciful. He will hear your prayer.
(Saint Padre Pio)
Have you ever said to yourself, “I am really struggling to pray. It’s so hard, and I’m not even sure it’s working. I give up!”
Maybe you've been praying for the same thing for years and years and years—you've grown tired and weary—and you wonder if God even hears you anymore . . . You wonder, does God even care? . . . Maybe you don't want to get your hopes up by praying about a particular situation—because you doubt if it will really turn out the way you want . . . Maybe you're afraid to pray because you’re scared of what God's answer will be . . . Maybe your prayer life has become dull and monotonous, feeling more like a chore than a blessing . . . Even though we know the benefits, prayer is that thing that we sometimes just want to quit doing.
Prayer is powerful . . . It’s the way we communicate and can be in fellowship with God . . . Though, when things are challenging, it’s frustrating to hear the worn-out phrases people throw at you like “just pray about it” or “prayer works” . . . It makes you want to scream because it isn’t that simple.
We’ve seen God at work, but for some reason this time, it’s just different . . . It’s an external or internal struggle, especially challenging, and even intimidating . . . It becomes a burden, not a lifeline.
We can pray for big and small things, but sometimes the struggle challenges us for so long that we lose patience and give up on praying altogether . . . Regardless of how difficult the circumstances are, we can’t give in to the temptation of stopping . . . Prayer doesn’t have to be perfect, or long, or ________ (fill in the expectation blank) . . . but it should still happen.
Have you stopped praying?
It’s the prayers you pray when you feel like you want to quit praying
that can bring the greatest breakthroughs.
(Mark Batterson)
Think about this . . . It might be that one more prayer that brings the answer you’re seeking . . . Keep praying.
INSIGHT . . .
So, what happens to us when prayer is hard? . . . We can give up . . . or we can continue lifting our hearts and souls to God . . . Sometimes it means praying even more . . . Regardless of the season of life, of what we are going through, our constant should be prayer.
“Be joyful and happy in hope. Do not give up when trouble comes.
Be faithful in prayer, not letting anything stop you from praying.”
Romans 12:12
We all experience challenging situations and sometimes have a hard time praying . . . It’s easy to be angry, disappointed, confused when praying doesn’t seem to work the way we want it to—but keep going . . . Praying and building that relationship with God will make a huge foundational difference in your life and mine . . . God loves each of us so much . . . He wants to hear from us, and we should do our best to connect with Him, regardless of how we’re feeling.
In seasons of spiritual dryness, returning to the most basic understanding of prayer can help you begin again . . . Remember, prayer is not about performance . . . It’s not about fancy words or emotion . . . and it’s definitely not checking a spiritual box . . . Prayer is about presence—God’s presence with us, even when we can’t feel it . . . And prayer is about our willingness, no matter how small, to remain open to Him.
When you don’t know where to begin, it might feel like being in a desert . . . It is a difficult place to find yourself—a prayer desert where even the desire to pray seems hard to get hold of . . . The silence feels heavy and the words won’t come . . . It’s okay, because you are not alone . . . This experience is far more common than you realize . . . That’s why we’re talking about it—so you don’t worry when you do struggle to pray.
You’re in good company . . . Saints such as Teresa of Ávila, John of the Cross, and Thérèse of Lisieux all wrote candidly about seasons of dryness and interior darkness . . . Saint Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) struggled with spiritual dryness for long periods of time . . . We learn from these Saints that it is in these moments that we need to lean into Christ even more . . . These experiences aren’t signs of failure . . . They are invitations to a deeper, more trusting faith in God.
Even in the depths of spiritual dryness, know that you are still praying . . . The whispered words, “Jesus, I trust in you,” count as prayer . . . The mention of the Holy Name of Jesus is enough . . . These utterances are the sighs of your soul—the prayer of a heart that knows and yearns for God even when words won’t come.
Even when prayer feels far off, trust that God is at work . . . Sometimes, the most honest prayer we can offer is simply, “Lord, I don’t know how to pray right now, but I am here” . . . And that, in itself, is the deepest heartfelt prayer of the soul . . . and God hears you.
O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you.
Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry!
Psalm 88:1-2
INVITATION—TO TALK WITH GOD . . .
In reality, when life is hard, prayer is difficult . . . Yet some things can’t be put off . . . We can’t pray today’s prayers tomorrow . . . Tomorrow will have its own demands.
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you”
James 4:8
Do you talk to God when your heart is breaking?
When prayer feels heavy, dry, or impossible, you don’t need long or perfect words . . . God looks at your heart and meets you in the silence . . . He willingly accepts a simple sigh, a tear, or a broken whisper as a complete and honest prayer.
Do you need to talk to God, yet have been struggling to pray?
Just talk . . . Pour out anything going through your mind . . .
I guarantee He is with you and is listening.
Just talk . . . Be honest . . . Tell God you’re tired and want to quit . . . Keep talking . . .Start small—whisper just three words like "Lord, help me" or "I am here" . . . Use simple breath prayers like “inhale God's peace/ exhale your burden” . . . It’s okay to borrow words from Scripture, a short Psalm, or repeat a simple phrase like "Jesus, have mercy" . . . then rest in silence . . . Sit still and let God hold you . . . and don’t be afraid to lean on others to pray with you or for you.
Have you ever considered when it is hardest for you to pray? . . . Why?
This is a good time to have a heart-to-heart with God and ask His help.
When life hurts, when life is hard, prayer is hard . . . Grief, illness, depression, and anger invade our lives and stubbornly hang on
. . . They steal our desire to pray and our belief in prayer just when we need them most . . . But God commands that we pray.
“Pray continually, never stop praying.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17
He didn't make prayer optional . . . God doesn't hand us a signed excuse, releasing us from prayer, when life becomes difficult . . . He knows that the process of “thinking words and thoughts” to an unseen God might be a struggle . . . God knows each of us will come to that difficult point when we might want to say, "I just can't anymore" . . . but He is still with us, still listening, and still working for our own good . . . God hasn’t given up on you—Don’t give up on Him.
Pray . . . Even when it’s hard . . . Especially when it’s hard.
Because not every prayer will feel powerful
Some will feel heavy . . . Some will feel silent.
Some will come out as tears instead of words.
There will be days when you don’t know what to say,
when your faith feels weak, and when God feels distant.
Pray anyway.
God is not measuring how perfect your words are, He sees your heart.
He hears what you can’t even explain.
And He draws near to those who still choose to come to Him, even when it’s a struggle.
Don’t let difficulty push you away from God . . . Let it drive you closer.
(Devotional Encouragement)
What phrase from the above “encouragement” touches your heart and soul the deepest?
What phrase do you find the most encouraging?
What words remind you that you know you’re going to be okay?
We need to believe God will answer our prayers . . . We need to have confidence in His ability (and kindness) to respond to our prayers . . . We have to have faith and hope in prayer . . . That’s it . . . Believe God will answer! . . . Make the choice to trust His word and keep coming to Him with your requests . . . God loves you! . . . Prayer is not a secret magical wand . . . but it is the first and foremost way to connect to God and have a living, breathing relationship with Him.
ILLUMINATION . . .
When we're tired, we can take a nap.
But when we're depleted, we don't just need to take a nap.
We need time to refill and replenish.
(Craig Groeschel)
I am going to be vulnerable and admit it . . . There are days that I fall asleep on top of my laptop, just like this tired puppy . . . My eye lids won’t stay open, my body aches, and my brain has shut down . . . and yet I still have more work to do . . . total exhaustion.
Rest . . . Cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength
What comes to mind when you think of finding rest? . . . Maybe a quick getaway, sneaking an afternoon nap, binging on TV, or sitting in the car sipping on a latte or cold soda . . . We each have a different idea of rest and there are plenty of ways to do it . . . but there is only one type of rest that refreshes, replenishes, and restores you . . . the rest we find in Jesus.
Noise comes in from all different angles in our life, whether it is the world, our family, our jobs, our relationships . . . Whatever noise is keeping you up at night, the real remedy doesn't come from a spa day, or a glass of wine, or a quick vacation . . . those are all temporary fixes and provide only temporary relief . . . That's not to underestimate the power of much-needed escape . . . But if you are experiencing that unbearable bone-tired weariness, if your burdens are breaking your spirit, the rest you need is in Jesus.
Some of us don't know how to rest because we were never encouraged to rest! . . . We’re taught to put our foot on the gas pedal and we don't stop, even if we are running on fumes! . . . We will run on fumes until we are empty, and exhausted, until we eventually stall out.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Sometimes the world makes it difficult for us to remember that Christ is our refuge, and we will tend seek rest where it doesn’t exist . . . When our spiritual energy is low, we become susceptible to the chaos and attacks from the earthly world around us . . . Spiritual health and maintenance come through finding rest in God . . . So, cease whatever that distraction is and sit with Christ
. . . even if it means closing your eyes and resting your head on your computer . . . do it with Christ in your mind.
"For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.”
Jeremiah 31:25
Our strength comes from the Lord, and when we rest in Him, we recover that strength that is drained with earthly burdens . . . Jesus puts us back in alignment with Him and restores us, as we rest in the peace that passes all understanding . . . spiritual peace, strength, and calm that comes through Jesus!
INSPIRATION—PRAYING THROUGH MUSIC . . .
Lord, let me truly live the life I sing about
so I reflect Your image in all I do,
not just in the speech or the melodies I sing.—Amen
I encourage you to take time to listen to any or all the songs below . . . there is no right or wrong style of music—it is what speaks to you . . . listen to the melody and the lyrics and feel the response of your heart to what God wants you to hear . . . and I do understand that music doesn’t speak to everyone . . . and that is okay too.
♪♬♪ Current . . . My Feet are on the Rock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxF9asc-F8w&list=RDrxF9asc-F8w&start_radio=1
♪♬♪ Praise & Worship . . . You Are My All in All
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAGub_AJAnM&list=RDQAGub_AJAnM&start_radio=1
♪♬♪ Traditional . . . My Life is in You Lord
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBYCsNCnNk4&list=RDzBYCsNCnNk4&start_radio=1
INTO EACH DAY AHEAD . . .
Prayer does not fit us for the great works;
prayer is the great work.
(Oswald Chambers)
Prayer is not wasted breath—it is powerful connection . . . Even when you don’t see immediate change, something is shifting in the unseen . . . God is working . . . Every prayer we pray is planting a seed of faith that will produce a harvest under one condition—that we don't give up.
“Do not let yourselves get tired of doing good,
for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9
Just because you want to quit doesn't mean you have to . . . Prayer is not always the easiest thing to do . . . but the more you pray, the stronger you get regardless of the outcome.
Every prayer, every conversation with God, is a moment of faith, trust, and hope . . . and these moments help build endurance . . . Miracles still happen every day, and the same God who moved mountains before is still at work now . . . Your breakthrough could be closer than you think . . . God can transform things very quickly in your life and mine . . . One phone call, one opportunity, one answered prayer can change everything . . . What seems stuck can suddenly move . . . What feels impossible can turn around overnight . . . Stay steady . . . Stay hopeful . . . Keep believing beyond what you see . . . Keep praying and don’t quit.
Heavenly Father,
You are so good to us, and we know You’re listening to our prayers.
Give us the strength we need for today, fortitude when we feel like giving up,
and hope for the future.
Ease our stressed-out minds and fill us with Your courage today.
Keep us grounded, humble, and close to You
as we trust You with what we cannot carry anymore. In Jesus’ name —Amen!
~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~
Prayer Paths (written by Dr. Debbie Parcel)
is a weekly email letter designed to “fuel”
your active prayer life, help you stay engaged in
focused prayer, and encourage a
growing relationship with our Triune God.
To receive Prayer Paths by email each week—send a request,
with your name and email,
to BarnabasRoad2025@gmail.com
(Prayer Paths is offered through Barnabas Road Ministries)