Three Sacred Rhythms That Sustain Me When Prayer Feels Hard

By Melissa MacGregor

Prayer is one of our most precious gifts from God; it's our way of connecting intimately with Him.

But what if prayer feels hard?

What do we do when the very thing meant to draw us close to God suddenly feels out of reach … even impossible?

Maybe it’s … 

• a dry season, when life feels dull.

• chaotic life circumstances.

• a season of burnout, capacity is at 0%, and your soul is tired. 

• the heaviest of seasons: you’re drowning in emotional pain. 

Perhaps one or more of these resonate with you?

All of these seasons have been a part of my story.

As I reflect on the difficult seasons God has led me through — and the intimate ways he met me — I want to share with you three rhythms of prayer that sustained me.

THE RHYTHM OF BREATH PRAYER

I was introduced to breath prayers in a small group setting. As one precious woman vulnerably shared her current struggle, she spoke the gentle prayer she'd been anchoring herself in all week:

“Lord, You are my Shepherd. I have all that I need.“

Something in the simplicity of this prayer settled deeply in my spirit. As I later learned, breath prayers are short prayers spoken or silently meditated upon in a single breath—simple enough to be memorized, yet powerful enough to steady the soul in moments of need. These sweet, uncomplicated prayers beautifully echo the spiritual directive of 1 Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray without ceasing.”

I have found it helpful to include two key movements:

1. <breathe in> Recognize God for who He is.2. <breathe out> Acknowledge your need for Him.

Try praying this with me:

<breathe in> Jehovah Rohi — You are my Shepherd.<breathe out> I have all that I need.

Let this rhythm become as personal as your own breath. Breath prayers remind us that prayer doesn’t require many words — sometimes a willing heart and a single, sacred breath is all we need.

THE RHYTHM OF USING SCRIPTURE AS PRAYER 

As a homeschooling mom, I began writing Scripture daily alongside my children. Writing Scripture often turned into prayer—especially on hard days. This simple morning rhythm put my heart into a posture of prayer and opened me to the Holy Spirit’s guidance through difficult moments.

A few ways to weave Scripture into your prayers:

• Begin with one or two verses you can return to and meditate on throughout the day, allowing God’s Word to gently shape your thoughts.

• Turn to Psalms or Proverbs for short, powerful passages—rich with both encouragement and practical wisdom—that naturally lend themselves to prayer.

• Stay with a verse for a season. Don’t hesitate to write it, pray it, and reflect on it repeatedly over several days or even a full week, giving the Holy Spirit space to deepen its meaning in your heart. Linger longer.

“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

 Psalm 119:11 ESV

Scripture is everlasting and true. When our own words run dry, nothing is more pure than breathing God’s Word into our rhythms of prayer. Writing Scripture as prayer binds it to our hearts and invites the Holy Spirit to faithfully echo Truth when our human capacity fails.

THE RHYTHM OF LAMENT

The book of Psalms is rich with laments, many written by David, the shepherd-turned-king. Though he failed in many ways, David consistently brought his true heart to God, expressing fear, grief, anger, doubt, and longing. From the field to the throne, he approached God with raw transparency.

God delights when we do the same. He invites us to come honestly, freely—without pretense or polish. He listens to our messiest experiences and emotions and longs to take part in our healing.

In Scripture, a lament often follows a recognizable pattern. It may include as many as seven movements:

1. Address to God

2. Reflection of God's faithfulness

3. A Complaint (or questions to God)

4. A confession of sin or claim of innocence 

5. A request for help

6. God's response (not always included) 

7. A vow to praise or a statement of trust

Lament teaches us that faithful prayer makes room not only for gratitude and joy, but also for grief, confusion, and deep need—and God meets us in that sacred honesty.

Friend, if you’re in a season when prayer feels hard, I gently invite you to lean into these three simple, vulnerable ways to draw near to God. He loves you deeply and longs to be close to you. God welcomes every word and every tear. And He will meet you there.

Melissa MacGregor

Author: Melissa MacGregor is a Healthy Lifestyle Mentor and writer passionate about equipping women to cultivate their lives and homes with God-honoring, healthy rhythms. Her devotionals are written from a place of vulnerability and truth, reflecting on the challenges that God has brought her through in her own life and health journey.

Get your copy of "When Prayer Feels Hard Guided Prayer Journal"  at melissakmacgregor.com