It happens. And it happens to devout believers. Usually gradually over time, our prayer life can thin out and then gets barren. From being times of joy, prayer becomes boring and lifeless. It becomes a heavy burden, a duty, and obligation, and the desire is to just quit altogether. What happened?
If praying has become agony for you, stop praying a while. Something is wrong and you need to first find out what the problem is. A good way to get started on the right foot again is just to "be still" and get reacquainted with Yahweh (Ps.46:10). Part of the problem of modern life is excessive busy-ness. We just cram too much into one day. It may be time to thin out the timetable to give time and space for Yahweh even if it is just to listen attentively and say little or nothing.
Have you ever tried to sit sill in a quiet place to listen to Yahweh and all you have got is a mass of background babble from your own mind? That can be a real problem! It may take a while just to get that quiet. We are all constantly talking inside (men as well as women!). You don't want to listen to yourself, whether it's the conscious or subconscious self when you're trying to tune-in to the Most High. Remember that the flesh loves to play at being God and demons are constantly whispering, talking and shouting too from inside or out.
Many years I received a long revelation on meditation which is now, for the first time, available online. It's called Christian Meditation. You are invited to read it now and then return to this devotional.
Also consider that the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit) is actively involved in helping us to pray. Paul puts it this way:
"Likewise the Ruach also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Herself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He (Yahweh) who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Ruach is, because She makes intercession for the set-apart ones (saints) according to the will of Elohim (God). And we know that all things work together for good to those who love Elohim, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Rom.8:25-28, NKJV).
One of the gifts of mothers is in relating to children and this is especially so of the Heavenly Mother. It's usually mother who teaches us how to first speak and it is the Heavenly Mother who teaches us how to pray to the Father.
It is important not to worry about prayer because it's happening all the time if Yahweh is in touch with you. If the Ruach haQodesh is in your life remember that Yahweh is actually in touch with your ruach (spirit) and He knows exactly what's going on in your life - everything. So even if you feel a barrenness in prayer, prayer is still going on. Yahweh does not need constant reminders or detailed run-downs of your needs. Once you have prayed about one matter, move on to another, and leave the rest to with Him.
I have often been surprised to discover that when I though everything was barren that I had been praying all along. Prayer paralysis seems to result when we shift out of Messiah and into self/flesh. Your flesh does not want to pray so naturally resents being 'forced' to by your spirit. The thing is to get back IN Messiah Yah'shua so that the flesh must be silent! Perhaps some of the tips offered in the revelation will help you get back on your spiritual feet.
Additional Reading Material
[1] The Slumbering Spirit: Part 1 - Awake, O My Soul!
[2] Kotzer Ruach: Awakening the Discouraged Soul
[3] Olive Branch, Section 331: Christian Meditation
[4] Teshuvah 2007: Yahweh's Call to Repentance
