In the ebb and flow of life, there are moments when the connection between our hearts and our love for God feels strained. Times when there’s not much overflow, and our worship comes from duty rather than delight. Despite our best intentions, our hearts aren’t filled with love and gratitude towards God, and if we’re honest with ourselves, we aren’t loving God with all our hearts, souls, and strength.
I’ve been there more times than I would like to admit.
Acknowledging the condition of our heart and soul is the first step towards transformation. A simple yet powerful remedy to transform our duty into delight exists during these spiritual slumps: prayer.
The Depths of Your Heart
God already knows the depths of your heart. There’s no point in trying to hide it from Him or deceiving yourself by trying to fake it till you make it. Instead, lay your lack of love and joy before the Lord in prayer. Confess your struggle and invite Him to reshape your heart. Pray through Deuteronomy 6:5, and ask God to change your heart. Here’s an example of what that might look like:
A Prayer for When You Don’t Feel Love for God
Lord, I confess that at this moment, I don’t love you with all of my heart, soul, and strength. But Father, I want to.
Lord, I want to love you with all of my heart. I want to love you with all of my soul. I want to love you with all of my strength. I want to love you with everything I have, with everything that I am.
God, thank you that my relationship with you is based on you and not my feelings. Thank you for being the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Father, thank you for loving me. Jesus, thank you for saving me.
Lord, I give you my heart, soul, and strength. Fill me with your Spirit, that I might love you more faithfully.
Amen
Pray and Wait
The power of this prayer is not in its eloquence but in its authenticity. Prayer doesn’t have to be complicated or poetic for it to be effective. It needs to be honest and reflect the true intention of your heart. Use my words, or create your own. Pray out loud, meditate quietly, use it as a breath prayer during a yoga practice, or even write it out to help you focus. However you choose to pray, lay your heart before the Lord.
In the simplicity of this prayer, we express the profound truth that our relationship with God is not contingent upon our fleeting emotions but anchored in His unchanging nature. This prayer prompts us to wait expectantly as God works his transformative grace in our hearts.
As we yield our hearts to God in prayer, we open the door for Him to mold us. To renew our spirit and lead us back into a place where our heart spills over, filling every fiber of our being with love for Him.
Next time your heart feels heavy, try this prayer or share your version in the comments below. I’d love to hear how God transforms your hearts and souls and sets them on fire for Him.
Tonya is a 500hr RYT based in Coastal Mississippi. She loves that she gets to share the joy and healing that yoga brought to her life. In addition to teaching yoga, she flips houses with her husband. Tonya is a travel enthusiast who loves the outdoors and adventure. You'll find her at the local beach, volunteering at the animal shelter, and playing with her forever and foster dogs.
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