When life is good, praying is easy. We feel thankful and appreciative for all the blessings God has bestowed upon us. We are happy and eager to please.

But what about when praying is hard? What do we do then?

There are moments in our lives when it seems everything we touch goes off-kilter. There are times when we struggle to understand why things are happening in our lives. Maybe we think…

• haven’t I been faithful?
• why is this happening to me?
• is God angry at me?

It is in those moments that Satan takes advantage of our doubts. He winds his way around our hearts like the roots of a weed strangling the life out of a growing blade of grass. It is in these times we need to pray the most. My husband likes to say, “You don’t bring knives to gun fights.” Battling Satan without prayer is like bringing a sling shot to a gun fight. Granted, if it were God’s will, you could win with that sling shot–just ask David–but why start out at a deficit?

Prayer is our most powerful weapon against Satan. Prayer builds our relationship with God. It helps us overcome temptation. It helps us discern God’s will. And faithful prayer will defeat Satan every time.

Paul in his first letter to the Thessalonians told them, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” God wants us to come to Him in prayer no matter what we need. He wants us to pray when it’s easy and when it’s hard. He loves us. We are His children. He will never abandon us.