Slowing Down to Pray in a World That Won’t Slow Down
Time feels different these days, doesn’t it?
Days move fast. Weeks disappear. And before we know it, another month has gone by. We live in a culture that applauds busyness—but then we wonder why prayer feels so difficult.
I don’t think prayer is hard because God is distant.
I think prayer is hard because we are rushing.
One of the greatest challenges in prayer is not faith—it’s slowing down.
Prayer Was Never Meant to Be a Chore
Somehow, we’ve attached prayer to words like perseverance and discipline. And while those words matter, they can make prayer feel exhausting before we ever begin. We approach prayer like another item on our to-do list instead of the invitation it truly is.
Prayer is not a performance.
Prayer is communion.
Prayer is simply being with God.
When we pray, we are stepping out of time and into eternity—and that requires us to slow our pace.
What My Daily Walk Has Taught Me About Prayer
Almost every day, I take a three-mile walk through my neighborhood. Walking has become one of my favorite ways to pray—not because I’m saying all the right words, but because I’m giving my soul permission to slow down.
Some days I listen to worship music or a favorite Bible teacher. But a few days each week, I leave the earbuds at home. I listen to the birds. I notice the trees. I talk to the Lord—and I listen.
And I’ve learned something: God speaks most clearly when I stop hurrying Him.
At first, my mind is noisy. I replay conversations. I think about what still needs to be done. But somewhere along the path, my thoughts settle. My spirit quiets. And I remember why I was created—to walk with God, to talk with Him, and to enjoy His presence.
Why Slowing Down Feels So Hard
Many of us are excellent at doing. We can run all day long. But ask us to sit quietly with God, and suddenly our minds race.
If you’ve ever tried to pray only to feel distracted, discouraged, or frustrated, let me reassure you—this doesn’t mean you’re failing at prayer. It means you’re human.
Slowing down is something we learn.
Stillness is something we practice.
Often, the most meaningful moments in prayer come after we push past the noise in our own hearts.
Prayer Changes Us—Even When Life Doesn’t Change Yet
Prayer doesn’t always bring instant answers, but it always brings eternal work. As we slow down in God’s presence, He strengthens us, refines us, and fills us with a peace that can’t be manufactured.
Sometimes the miracle we want is a change in our circumstances.
But sometimes the miracle God gives is strength, courage, and trust to walk through them.
And that kind of miracle lasts.
An Invitation to Slow Down This Week
If prayer has felt rushed or disappointing, I want to invite you into something simple:
Take five minutes.
No phone. No music. No agenda.
Just be with God.
Whether it’s on a walk, in a chair, or sitting at the edge of your bed, let your soul slow down long enough to notice His presence.
Because you were never created to live at the speed of the world.
You were created to live in communion with your Father.
And when you slow down, you may discover that the joy you’ve been missing has been walking beside you all along.
In this episode of the Significant Women podcast, Carol McLeod welcomes Jenny Randle for a meaningful conversation about the beauty and power of prayer. Jenny shares how slowing down helps us recognize God’s presence, and why intentionality matters in every spiritual discipline. She unpacks what it means to stay in constant conversation with God, to wait on His wisdom, and to cultivate stillness so we can better hear His voice. Together, Carol and Jenny explore how being filled with the Spirit transforms our daily rhythms and empowers us to live with purpose, clarity, and deep connection to God.