How Pride Prevents You From Praying

What is the reason why you don’t pray? Well, you can come up with different answers. You may answer that you’re too busy, too tired, or too distracted to carve out time for prayer.

But here’s the truth: if you truly take the time to consider the real reason why you don’t pray, there’s one big answer. This answer is so difficult to see in us that most people won’t be able to recognize it. If you just look deep into the real reason you don’t pray, it is this: Pride.

Yes, pride—the insidious force that whispers in our ears, telling us that we can do it all on our own, that we don’t need help from anyone, not even from God.

Pride, that silent killer of spiritual vitality, blinds us to our need for divine guidance and sustenance. It puffs us up with self-importance, convincing us that we are the masters of our own destinies. We become like the proverbial fool who says in his heart, “There is no God” (Psalm 14:1), not necessarily in outright denial of God’s existence, but in practical disregard for His role in our lives.

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The Danger of Pride in Prayer

One of pride’s most dangerous tactics is to make us believe that we are self-sufficient—that we can handle everything that life throws our way without seeking assistance from above. We think we have it all figured out, that our intellect, resources, and abilities are enough to navigate the complexities of existence. And so, prayer becomes unnecessary, it takes the backseat of our lives.

But the truth is far different. The reality is that we are fragile, finite beings, utterly dependent on the grace and mercy of our Creator. We need to take heed the words of our Master and Savior, Yahshua or popularly known as Jesus Christ. He said in John 15:5-6:

⁵ “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. Well, friends, that’s the truth, we are nothing without God, but pride keeps on telling us that we are something even without God. In verse 6, it says, ⁶ If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

If we continue on the dark path of pride, we will eventually be cut off from the vine, our source of spiritual nourishment, and we will eventually wither away and die.

The Deceptive Power of Pride

Now, pride makes us think that we can control things. You might not realize it but the more you try to control things, the more you’ll find yourself frustrated, disappointed, and even depressed. Why? Because there are just so many things in this life that we can’t control no matter what we do.

Pride blinds us to the beauty of humility, the recognition of our limitations, and the willingness to surrender control to a higher power. It prevents us from experiencing the deep joy and peace that comes from communing with our Heavenly Father in prayer. We are too busy patting ourselves on the back to kneel before the throne of grace, too preoccupied with our own agendas to seek God’s will for our lives.

And so, we find ourselves in a perilous predicament, trapped in the snare of our own pride. We may attend church, read our Bibles, and engage in religious activities, but if our hearts are devoid of humility, our prayers become empty words, devoid of true communion with God.

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How to Overcome Pride

But there is hope. The antidote to pride is humility—the humble recognition of our need for God’s grace and mercy. It is the willingness to acknowledge our limitations and to surrender our will to His. It is the decision to cast aside the illusions of self-sufficiency and embrace our identity as beloved children of the Most High.

👉 You might also want to read, “10 Best Christian Books That Will Help You Overcome Pride.”

Improve Your Prayer Life with Prayer

So, if you find yourself neglecting prayer, take a moment to examine your heart. Is pride lurking in the shadows, whispering lies of self-sufficiency and independence? Are you too proud to admit your need for God, too proud to humble yourself before Him in prayer, too proud to bend your knee?

If so, it’s time to let go of pride and embrace humility. It’s time to acknowledge your need for God and to seek His presence with renewed fervor. For true strength is found not in self-reliance, but in dependence on the One who holds the universe in His hands.

The Bible tells us that if we want to rise above, we must go down in humility. James 4:10 tells us:

¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. So, let us remove pride in our lives and let us approach God in humility for Him to fill our our hearts with His peace, joy, and love.

About the Author

Joshua Infantado is the founder of the Becoming Christians website and the Becoming Christians Academy, an online course. Since 2013, he has been writing Christian articles, and he launched his own YouTube channel. Joshua is deeply passionate about sharing the Word of God and supporting people in their Christian journey.

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