The devil is deceitful, and he will churn out every imagineable lie just to keep Christians from praying. However, there are times when the devil will say the truth — but only the truths that will hurt Christians and keep them from strengthening their relationship with God.
Joe McKeever, former director of missions for the 100 Southern Baptist churches of metro New Orleans, wrote on his website that people need to navigate these hard truths for them to draw closer to God.
The first truth the devil will use to keep people from connecting to God is that the omniscient Lord already knows what people need, so there's no need to verbalise it. The Bible verse 6:8b confirms this: "For your Father knows what thing you have need of before you ask Him."
But this should not stop Christians from getting down on their knees and bowing their heads in prayer. "The fact that God already knows my need is no excuse to get out of prayer; it's motivation to pray," said McKeever.
Another truth the devil enjoys taunting Christians is that they are unworthy. While that is true, McKeever said that's beside the point of prayer.
"Psalm 130:3 tells us if the Lord should keep track of iniquities, no one would stand. God is not dealing with perfect people. All have sinned; there is none righteous, no, not one (Rom. 3:10, 23)," he said.
Because Christ receives all sinful men who are remorseful of their past, being unworthy is all the more reason for peple to pray to Him.
Lastly, the devil likes to say: "You do not know whether the Lord will answer your prayers." It's true, said McKeever, because everything happens according to God's will. But having an answered prayer is not the only reason why Christians should pray.
"I'm content to send up my prayers and leave the answers to the Lord," he said. "Knowing His wonderful character, that's what I want. So not knowing how He will answer is no reason not to pray. I trust Him."
