Why does praying sometimes become difficult for me?

The feeling of difficulty in performing prayer is an experience many believers encounter on their spiritual journey. This is not only natural, but its roots, understanding, and solutions can be found deep within the verses of the Holy Quran. The Quran, this guiding scripture, delves into human nature, its internal challenges, and struggles with profound insight, offering pathways to overcome these difficulties. The question of why prayer sometimes feels burdensome is, in essence, an expression of an internal struggle between worldly allurements and the divine call reverberating within every human heart. In the Holy Quran, Allah explicitly states that prayer is an act requiring humility (khushu') and presence of heart, and without these, it may indeed seem heavy for some. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 45, Allah says: "And seek help through patience and prayer. And indeed, it is a grave matter except for the humble [before God]." This verse clearly indicates that the difficulty of prayer is directly linked to the degree of humility and submission one possesses before the Lord. For those with a humble and submissive heart before divine majesty, prayer is not merely easy but a source of peace and intimacy. However, for those still entangled in worldly attachments and heedlessness, prayer can be perceived as a heavy burden. One of the primary reasons highlighted by the Quran is humanity's inclination towards worldly life and forgetfulness of the Hereafter. The Quran repeatedly refers to the deceptive allurements of the world and warns that these matters can distract a person from remembering Allah and fulfilling their devotional duties. In Surah At-Tawbah, verse 38, we read: "O you who have believed, what is [the matter] with you that, when you are told to go forth in the cause of Allah, you adhere heavily to the earth? Are you content with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? For the enjoyment of worldly life compared to the Hereafter is but little." Although this verse pertains to jihad, it clearly expresses the concept of being weighed down and attached to the world, which can extend to any act of worship, including prayer. When the heart becomes bound to the world, and material concerns occupy one's entire mind and being, there remains no room for the light and spirituality of prayer. Consequently, prayer, instead of being an opportunity for peace and connection, transforms into an obstacle in the path of worldly attachments. Another factor alluded to in the Quran is the whispers of Satan. Satan is constantly lying in wait to divert humanity from the path of truth and servitude. By beautifying sins, instilling despair and laziness, and creating doubts in the hearts of believers, he strives to prevent them from performing good deeds, especially prayer. In Surah An-Nas, Allah teaches us to seek refuge in Him from the evil of "al-waswasi al-khannas" (the whispering tempter who withdraws). These whispers can instill feelings of fatigue, boredom, or the urgency of other tasks, causing one to delay or completely abandon prayer. Heedlessness (ghaflah) from the remembrance of Allah and a lack of attention to the true essence of prayer are also factors that can make prayer difficult. Prayer is an opportunity to meet with the Lord and immerse oneself in the boundless ocean of His mercy. However, if one stands for prayer without presence of heart, merely out of habit, this deep connection does not form, and prayer becomes a series of mechanical, soulless movements that, over time, become tiring and difficult. The Quran heavily emphasizes the importance of "dhikr" (remembrance of Allah). In Surah Ar-Ra'd, verse 28, it states: "Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured." Remembrance of Allah, which includes prayer and other acts of worship, purifies the heart and strengthens the soul. The more remembrance of Allah is prominent in one's life, the deeper the connection with Him becomes, and performing acts of worship like prayer becomes not only easy but an indescribable pleasure. The Quranic solutions to overcome these difficulties are very clear: 1. Patience and seeking help through prayer: As stated in Surah Al-Baqarah, verses 45 and 153, patience and prayer are two strong pillars for overcoming difficulties and challenges. Prayer itself is a helper, even if it seems difficult at first. 2. Humility and presence of heart (khushu'): Striving for presence of heart in prayer, focusing on the meanings of the verses and supplications, and recalling the greatness of Allah, transforms prayer from a burden into a source of peace and vitality. 3. Reflection on the Hereafter and the insignificance of the world: The more one contemplates the fleeting nature of this world and the rewards of the Hereafter, the less attached one becomes to worldly life, and the more prepared one becomes for worship and servitude. 4. Seeking refuge in Allah from the evil of Satan: By saying "A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajeem" (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan) and strengthening one's faith, one can be safe from Satan's whispers. 5. Persistence in dhikr and remembrance of Allah: Familiarizing oneself with the Quran, supplications, and glorifications purifies the heart and increases the desire for worship. Ultimately, it must be remembered that prayer is a divine blessing, and its occasional difficulty can sometimes be a test to see how steadfast we are on the path of faith. By seeking assistance from Allah, strengthening faith, and being aware of Quranic teachings, we can overcome these difficulties and benefit from prayer as a ladder of ascension towards perfection and true peace. This path is one that Allah has made easy for those who turn to Him with sincere intention, and every difficulty in it is a prelude to reaching His endless grace and mercy. So, if prayer sometimes feels difficult for you, know that this is the call of your heart's need for a deeper connection with the Creator, and with Quranic solutions, this need can be met in the best way, allowing you to taste the sweetness and delight of true prayer.