Struggling to Pray? Try These Simple Ways to Connect with God Daily

Struggling to pray? You’re not alone.

Discover simple, practical ways to ‘pray constantly’ in your everyday life—whether you're driving, working, or going through a tough season. Learn how to make prayer a habit, even when it feels hard. Inspired by 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

I used to think prayer had to be deep, emotional, and in a quiet place to “count.” But honestly - some days I struggle to find the right words, my mind wanders, or I feel like I just can’t find the time to pray at all.

A few weeks ago, I chose 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 as my memory verse for the week:

"Always be joyful; pray constantly; and for all things give thanks; this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."

I read it, wrote it on a note for my desk, and immediately thought, "How can I possibly pray constantly when I can barely focus for five minutes?" But then, I learned something that changed everything for me.

1. Shifting My Perspective on Prayer
During my OCIA class, we reflected on prayer, and one thought truly stuck with me:

God is always with us—so why wouldn’t we talk to Him throughout the day, just like we would with a best friend?

That realization shifted my perspective. Prayer isn’t just for before meals or at church—it’s meant to be woven into our daily lives.

If you’ve ever struggled to make time for prayer, here are simple ways to make it a natural part of your day.

2. Practical Ways to Integrate Prayer into Your Day
Turn Small Moments into Prayer
- Stuck in traffic? Say a short prayer for patience.
- Walking to a meeting? Thank God for the strength to get through the day.
- Cooking dinner? Offer gratitude for the food and those who will eat it.

Key Insight: Prayer doesn’t have to be long or structured. Whispering, “Jesus, I trust in You,” in a stressful moment is a prayer.

3. Use Scripture as a Prayer Guide
When you don’t know what to say, let Scripture guide your prayers:

"Be still and acknowledge that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)
"God, be merciful to me, a sinner." (Luke 18:13)

Tip: Write a few verses on sticky notes and place them where you’ll see them—on your bathroom mirror, car dashboard, or phone wallpaper!

4. Turn Everyday Tasks into Prayer
Offer mundane tasks (laundry, dishes, exercise) as acts of love to God.

"Lord, thank you for the blessings I have been given"

Prayer isn’t separate from life—it’s woven into it.

5. Use Breath Prayers (Short Prayers on Repeat)
Try simple one-line prayers that sync with your breathing:

Inhale: "Jesus, I give myself to You."
Exhale: "I trust in You."

Inhale: "Holy Spirit, guide me."
Exhale: "Let Your will be done."

Why This Works: Even in stressful moments, repeating a short prayer refocuses your heart on God.

6. What If I Don’t Feel Anything?
Prayer is about connection, not perfection. Let go of the expectation that every prayer has to feel profound.

If it feels hard, keep praying.
If it feels easy, keep praying.
If you don’t know what to say, be silent and let God fill the space.

Mother Teresa said it best, "We need to find God, and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature—trees, flowers, grass—grows in silence; see the stars, the moon, and the sun, how they move in silence."

Final Thoughts: A Simple Prayer Challenge
Praying continuously isn’t about constant words—it’s about keeping God in your heart throughout your day.

Join me in a simple 3-day prayer challenge:

Day 1: Start the day with a one-sentence prayer.
Day 2: Offer a mundane task as a prayer.
Day 3: Try a breath prayer when stressed.

I encourage you to expand this challenge—one extra day at a time.

- What moments can you connect with God throughout your day?
- Where can you find a little silence to just be with Him?

And remember this final truth from Mother Teresa, "God thirsts to love and be loved by you—that is how precious you are to Him."

Quotes from Mother Teresa from Prayer Coach