The enemy will do anything to keep us from prayer. He uses distractions, busyness, laziness, pleasures, misinformation, even the truth—twisted just enough—to make us think there’s no point in praying.
Here are eight “true” statements Satan uses to discourage prayer—and the biblical answers that prove him wrong.
1. “God already knows what you need.”
Yes, He does (Matthew 6:8). But Jesus immediately followed that truth by teaching us the Lord’s Prayer. God’s knowledge of our needs is not an excuse to avoid prayer—it’s the reason we pray.
2. “You are unworthy.”
That’s true. None of us are worthy (Psalm 130:3; Romans 3:10, 23). But God invites sinners into His presence through Christ. Our unworthiness makes His grace all the more necessary.
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3. “You are weak.”
We are (2 Corinthians 12:9–10). But God’s strength is made perfect in weakness. Prayer is not about our power, but His.
4. “Your faith is small.”
It is. But even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains (Luke 17:6). It’s not the size of our faith but the object of our faith that matters.
5. “You don’t know if God will answer.”
That’s true—He is God and we are not (Psalm 115:3). But uncertainty is not a barrier. We pray with trust, saying, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Matthew 26:39).