When You Don’t Feel Like Praying

How Prayer Becomes a Life of Dependence

Scripture References

Primary text

• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
• John 15

Other references

• Matthew 7:7
• Luke 18
• Mark 5
• Proverbs 3:5-6
• James 1:5
• Philippians 4:6-7
• Romans 8

Overview

Amy Groeschel closed the “How to Pray” series by showing that prayer is not an occasional activity but the ongoing way we live in complete dependence on our Father. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5, she urged us to rejoice, give thanks, and pray without ceasing—letting every moment stay connected to God like a sunflower tracking the sun. Petitionary prayer (“give us… forgive us… lead us… deliver us”) is invited because we are needy children of a willing Father. When we become specific, persistent, expectant, and honest, prayer moves from “boring but important” to our greatest pleasure.

Main Points

Prayer is continual dependence

• 1 Thessalonians 5 links rejoicing, praying, and thanking as one unbroken lifestyle, not separate acts.
• Jesus modeled total reliance: “I only do what I see My Father doing.”
• Illustration: Sunflowers literally turn east-to-west all day; believers keep turning their gaze toward God.

Petitionary prayer is welcomed

• Lord’s Prayer places requests after worship and alignment: give, forgive, lead, deliver.
• Asking is relational, not transactional—God wants conversation, not a “dad who just fixes the car.”
• Present-tense verbs in Matthew 7:7 (“keep on asking…”) show ongoing dialogue.

Why we often stop praying

• Distraction, busyness, discouragement over unanswered requests.
• Treating prayer as a means to an end makes it feel boring; viewing it as communion restores joy.

Four powerful prayer principles

1. Be Specific
   • Write the exact need; big prayers let God “show off.”
   • Story: A missionary friend needed transportation; they asked for a vehicle within a week and God provided a van.
2. Be Persistent
   • Luke 18’s widow illustrates never quitting.
   • Story: Amy prayed 12 years for healing of interstitial cystitis; God finally healed her.
3. Pray with Expectancy
   • Childlike faith pleases God (James 1:5).
   • Story: Facing leadership decisions at Branch 15, she asked once for wisdom and received a full plan immediately.
4. Pray as Yourself
   • Bring your real emotions and body—kneel, cry, shout.
   • Mark 5 shows Jairus falling at Jesus’ feet and the bleeding woman reaching for His cloak; honest approach released power.

Keep the line open

• Story: When Amy’s daughter was engaged, the couple stayed on FaceTime nonstop—“you just don’t hang up.” Abiding in John 15 is leaving the spiritual line open all day.

Key Truths

• Prayer is the continual posture of trust, not a slot on our schedule.
• Specific requests give God specific glory.
• Persistence shapes us while we wait.
• Expectant faith partners with a God who still does the impossible.
• Nothing—trouble, death, angels, or demons (Romans 8)—can separate praying people from God’s love.

Response

• Start every task by briefly asking, “Father, did I pray about this?”
• List one need and phrase it with concrete detail; keep praying until God answers or redirects.
• Use physical cues (phone reminder, wristband) to “keep the call open” throughout the day.
• Replace anxious thoughts with Philippians 4:6-7 prayer plus gratitude.
• Re-engage with stalled requests—“just keep praying.”

Closing

Amy ended by lifting our eyes to the interceding Christ and repeating a simple charge:

“Just keep praying.”

Because Jesus is alive, every prayer uttered in dependence on Him is heard, worked through, and woven into His unbreakable love.

Prayer

Father, transform our prayer lives. Draw us near, teach us to depend on You for everything, and let Your peace guard our hearts as we “just keep praying.”

Resources

• Pete Greig – Founder of 24-7 Prayer (books on prayer referenced)
• Branch 15 Ministry (leadership example)
• YWAM (missionary story context)