A hypocrite is somebody who professes certain things or qualities without really possessing those qualities in themselves.
When you pray, or talk to God, at a time you do not feel like it simply means that you are not depending upon feelings, but you are rendering your heart to God by faith.
It is dangerous to solely depend upon feelings, because they are as changeable as the weather.
“A large class of the professed Christian world are watching their feelings; but feeling is an unsafe guide. … Satan can move upon our feelings, and he can so arrange surrounding circumstances as to make our feelings changeable. Victory in God is not feeling, but faith. It is the faith that will not yield although there are seeming impossibilities to be encountered.” The Signs of the Times, May 22, 1884.
We should never depend upon our feelings in matters of praying. In fact, at the time when we do not feel like praying is when we most need to draw near to God and talk with Him.
“As soon as one begins to contemplate his feelings he is on dangerous ground. If he feels happy and joyous, then he is very confident and has very pleasing emotions. The change will come. There are circumstances that occur which bring depression and sad feelings; then the mind will naturally begin to doubt whether the Lord is with him or not.
“Now, the feelings must not be made the test of the spiritual state, be they good or be they discouraging. The word of God is to be our evidence of our true standing before Him.” In Heavenly Places, 126.
Satan might try to make us feel like hypocrites but we must remember that talking to God when we do not feel like it gives us just the strength and faith we need for that moment. “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” I John 5:4.
“Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” Mark 9:24. We must live by faith in Jesus and in His Word which tells us to, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. And in Isaiah 26:3 we are told, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
It is good that our minds are stayed on Him and by faith we talk to God and do not follow our emotions of the moment. This is not hypocrisy, but faith! When you kneel down to pray, even when you do not feel like it, the devil has lost the battle for that moment.
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