Finding it hard to pray

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melvfe

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Hello!

I am deciding that this Lent, I would like to pray when I face temptations. However, I have noticed that I would dwell in these temptations, and when I realise that I am dwelling in them, there is a voice in my head that tells me to pray. I don’t know why but I find myself resisting that voice. And after a while, I realise that temptation is gone so I think, “Oh yeah, it’s gone, so prayer is not needed.”

Please pray for me to find that resistance. I know that in prayer, God frees us from all temptations but I find it very hard to overcome that first step.
 
Ask God for help, also Mary and your guardian angel. Oh and read the Bible if you find praying hard at these times, having something to focus on makes being distracted less likely. I like the Psalms for this as they are sort of flowing, but you may feel drawn to other part of the Bible, let the Holy spirit guide you. You can also use sacramentals to help you focus during prayer, such as the rosary or a crucifix or various medals etc. God gives us many ‘things’ to help us. God bless you and I will pray for you.
 
Pray always, no matter how poorly, and do not be disturbed by anything; be happy in spirit and at peace, for prayer will direct your life and give you understanding. St. John Chrysostom says that “prayer, though coming from us full of sin, is immediately purified.” And Mark the Hermit says, “To make an effort to pray is in our power, but to pray purely is a gift of grace.”

And so offer to God what is in your power. Begin by bringing to God a sacrifice of constancy in prayer, and God’s almighty power will swallow your weakness; your dry and distracted prayer will become a habit and second nature; your prayer will be made pure, fervent, and powerful.

-excerpts taken from the book “The Way of a Pilgrim.”
 
If I have trouble praying, I just say the first line of the “Our Father,” and I let God fill in the rest.
 
Try pray aloud at home. This way you will get concentrated on speech and forget about the thoughts. Also you can read the prayers to stay focused.
 
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