When doing just about anything for the first time, or when you’re learning or practicing something new, things can feel awkward. The same can apply to praying. When prayer feels awkward, acknowledge it, but at the same time, also do your best to realize that God is ever patient, ever loving, and ever kind. When learning how to pray or practicing spiritual faith by praying, knowing how to move past it and enjoy this process of being with God in the moment of your prayers.
How to Move Past Hesitance When Prayer Feels Awkward
When trying to move past the awkwardness or hesitance of praying as you’re starting along your journey of spiritual faith and Christianity, give yourself time to adapt. The more you engage in praying, the easier and more comfortable you’ll feel.
One of the best ways to get past awkwardness as you learn how to pray is to always remember that God wants to hear from you. He wants you to believe in Him, to have faith in Him, and most of all, to rely on Him and His Son Jesus Christ as you move forward on your faith journey.
How do you move past it when prayer feels awkward to you? Acknowledge it, accept it, and take steps to make praying more comfortable for you. How?
Turn to the words of Jesus Christ, found in the New Testament book of Matthew (6:5-15). During the Sermon on the Mount, the Son of God Himself tells us that faith and belief in Him and God the Father is nothing to be hesitant, ashamed, or embarrassed about. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”
Don’t be ashamed of praying. Be proud. You are communicating with God your Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ. Of course, being humble and honest about your feelings must be acknowledged, but also don’t forget that prayer is the personification of belief, faith, and trust that God will hear you when you pray.
Praying with God is like engaging in a communication or conversation with a loved one, a best friend, or a confidant. Whether you’re praying out loud or silently, focus your thoughts, and in the moment of prayer focus only on Him and His glory. Ask what you will, and know that through your growing faith, that God’s will be done.
You can take a number of steps to get over the feeling of awkwardness. Keep your prayers simple and from your heart. Your prayer doesn’t have to be fancy or long or wordy. God the Father wants to know what’s in our heart and what we’re thinking, and what we’re asking for. During the Sermon of the Mount, Jesus also told us that God already knows what we need or want before we even ask it of Him, so be confident.
When you pray, remember to whom you’re praying. Your prayers aren’t about you, or how you’re speaking, or what position you’ve taken to pray. Prayer is about God. It is your opportunity to have a direct, one-on-one conversation of sorts with Him. Remember, God knows what’s in your heart. Focus your thoughts on your conversation with God and believe with all your heart that He will be listening.
Most importantly, know that God wants to hear our prayers, whether you feel awkward or shy or whether you’re shouting your prayer from a metaphorical mountaintop. In the New Testament book of Philippians, believed to have been written by the disciple Paul, he says (4:6-7), “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
You have nothing to feel awkward or anxious or embarrassed about when it comes to praying, nor how to pray. Your prayers don’t have to be formal or lengthy, or use certain words. The only thing God requests of us when we pray is to pray with truth, honesty, and in humbleness. Whether we’re asking him for something or requesting strength, guidance, or offering a blessing of thanksgiving, do so from the bottom of your heart.
If prayer feels awkward, start by praying alone, either silently or out loud. Find a place that feels comfortable to you and open your mind, focus, and start talking. You can start your prayer with things like “Dear Heavenly Father, or ‘Dear God.” Your words don’t have to be fancy. How does your heart feel? Has your spirit lifted? There’s nothing to be worried about when you’re talking to God. He will enjoy hearing from you, and the more you pray, the more comfortable you will be.
As you grow in spiritual faith and belief, you will soon find that prayer no longer feels awkward. To reassure yourself about this, read the New Testament book of Matthew, (7:9-11) in which Jesus also instructs us, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened… If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”
So you see, while we are cautioned to fear God and His might and glory, we are also invited to commune with Him, to talk with Him, to pray to Him, and to share with Him. God does want to hear from you. He wants a relationship with you.
So yes, while prayer feels awkward at first for many, remember that overcoming fear, awkwardness, or other negative feelings is how we grow and flourish. God doesn’t expect us to be perfect, so you don’t have to be perfect. All you need to know is that God is with you as you grow in your spiritual faith.
