Why is it So Hard to Go for Prayer Meetings

 

Actually, many good things are so hard to do, like eating right, going to the gym, saving and investing, studying and self-improvement, being nice to people who are mean to you, meeting new people, evangelism, prayer, and all those things have something in common... They are all good for you. At the end of the day, you are the biggest beneficiary.

You get a healthy and energized body, with reduced threats of lifestyle diseases, you get to have some financial freedom, you learn new stuff and achieve more, you stop carrying people in you heart in the name of unforgiveness, you increase your networks and get potentially useful connections, you get to appreciate the Love of Christ more when you share the gospel, etc.

Why is it so hard to pray and to attend prayer meetings? Every time I go for a prayer meeting (which I admit is sparse), we are very few, like in a church of 300 plus attendance, we are only less than 10 people. How now? Why now? Prayer is definitely good for us. And we know it. Why are we going? Is it the devil? Is it laziness? We make all sorts of flimsy excuses, ... too far, too early, too late, too busy, .... etc.... yet when it is your child's parents' meeting, you can even travel miles to attend it. Or if it is a business meeting, you can't miss it. 

We know the benefits of prayer are limitless. 

The most selfish worldly reason is that you get a free therapy session ... with God. The feeling you feel after releasing all your burdens and talking honestly to God is amazing.

You get to think about other people's problems as you pray for them and appreciate the good things happening in your own life.

You get to fellowship with God through prayer and get closer to Him. Which He has stated in His Word ... Draw near to Me and I will draw near to you. Being in communion with God is so precious.

Attending prayers with others means sharing your burdens and joys with others, which in turn gives you a good feeling of being loved and appreciated. God created us to live with others, and what a way to share your life with other people

Bring God's attention to what you would like Him to do in your life, your concerns, needs, and aspirations. Involve God in your life and watch Him work wonders. Sometimes He may not answer prayers in the way you want Him to. One thing to remember is that God is never wrong. He remains the same forever.

What should I do to be more intentional in my prayers - both personal and corporate.

1. Change my "should" to "planning" - Instead of I should go for prayers, it will be I am planning to attend prayers this Saturday.

2. Give myself a mindset shift, to be that of longing to spend time with the One I love. Looking forward to fellowshipping with God, and updating Him on what is happening in my life, and listening to Him through His Word.

3. Give myself a target to start, eg. attend corporate prayers once a month. And have personal prayer time at least 3 times a week minimum.

4. Learn more about prayer and what it is, how to pray and how to get the most of it.

The important thing is to Love my Saviour. Love God with all my heart. When I love God, I will love to spend time with Him, make time, and do the commute to share that precious time with other believers. Prayer is good for you and me, and the Church. Let us make time and go attend those prayers.