The battle of prayer is inseparable from the necessary "spiritual battle" to act habitually according to the Spirit of Christ: we pray as we live, because we live as we pray.

The principal difficulties that we find are:

•We "don't have the time." Prayer is considered as an occupation incompatible with all the other things we have to do.
The remedy: "Make the time" for your personal prayer, knowing that nothing could excuse your failing to do so.

•We "get distracted." Concentration becomes really difficult and we easily give up.
The remedy: Turn your heart back to God, offering him the distractions with humility, without discouragement.

•We "feel dry." It seems that the heart is separated from God, with no taste for thoughts, memories, and feelings, even spiritual ones.
The remedy: Remember that "unless the grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."

There are also two frequent temptations that threaten prayer:

•Lack of faith. Prayer is not the first priority.
The remedy: Ask our Lord with a humble heart, "Lord, increase my faith."

•Acedia. A form of depression stemming from lax ascetical practice, that leads to discouragement.
The remedy: Trust God more and hold fast in constancy.

Cf. CCC, 2752, 2755.

From the Handbook of Prayers, edited by Fr. Jim Socias.