I thought this section in D.A. Carson’s A Call to Spiritual Reformation: Priorities from Paul and His Prayers was particularly helpful. I’m prone to bouts of despondency that greatly affects my motivation to pray so this speaks directly to me.

—–
Problem 2 – I Feel Too Dry Spiritually to Pray

Carson: Problem – “Some of us may set aside time to pray, only to find that when the time comes we feel too discouraged, or too unbelieving, or too empty – in short, too dry – to pray. We may then be tempted to put off praying until we feel like it a little more… Whatever the cause, the challenge to pray seems to mountainous to surmount in our state of spiritual depletion.”

2 Bad Presuppositions – “The first is that the acceptability of my approach to God in prayer ought to be tied to how I feel. But is God especially impressed with us when we feel joyful or carefree or well rested or pious? Is not the basis of any Christian’s approach to the heavenly Father the sufficiency of Christ’s mediating work on our behalf? Is not this a part of what we mean when we pray ‘in Jesus’ name’? Are we not casting a terrible slur on the cross when we act as if the usefulness or acceptability of our prayers turns on whether we feel full or dry? True, when we feel empty and dispirited we may have to remind ourselves a little more forcefully that the sole reason why God accepts us is the grace that he has bestowed upon us in the person and work of his Son. But that is surely better than giving the impression that we are somehow more fit to pray when we feel good.

The second unacceptable presupposition behind this attitude is that my obligation to pray is somehow diminished when I do not feel like praying. This is to assign to my mood or my feelings the right to determine what I ought to do. And that, of course is unbearably self-centered. It means that I, and I alone, determine what is my duty, my obligation. In short, it means that I am my own god. It is to act as if the Bible never says, ‘Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.’ (Romans 12:12).”

Corrective Scripture – Luke 18:1-8
“The point is not that God is rather like a corrupt judge who responds only to constant badgering. Rather, the argument is… if even a corrupt judge responds to persistence, how much more will the righteous God respond to persistence? … Indeed, as far as Jesus is concerned the real question is not whether or not God answers prayer but whether or not we have the faith to persevere [see vs. 8].”

Luke 11:5-10
“…if even a lazy and inconsiderate neighbor finally does what is right for no other reason than that he does not want to bring shame on his name and house, how much more will God answer the prayers of his people? … He has pledged himself in covenant grace to meet the needs of his people, to prove utterly reliable and trust worthy. He cannot be less than trustworthy, or he would bring shame on his own name. Therefore ask, knock, seek.”

Carson also helpfully points out that “implicit in both of these parables is the assumption that God may not answer us immediately, that it is part of his wisdom to wait, even to resist us, so that we may exercise our faith and pursue him with sincerity.”

God is not a lap dog leaping to our every command. Nor do we have sufficient perspective or wisdom to evaluate how it is that He chooses to act. We are, however, confident in His character and trust that what He does is done for His glory and our good even as He teaches us to be patient and diligent in prayer.