In this episode of the Hope + Help Podcast, Christine Chappell interviews John Onwuchekwa about the topic of prayerlessness. Some of the questions addressed in this interview are:

• What is a biblical definition of prayer? What is it, and what isn't it?
• What are some of the reasons that we struggle to have an earnest desire to pray?
• How do our desires and affections shape our prayer life, or lack of?
• In what ways do we wrongly ask God to "fund our idolatry" when we do pray?
• What role does the local church play in our public and private prayer life?
• How does Jesus' model of prayer to God give us both an approach and agenda to follow when we're struggling to pray?

John Onwuchekwa (MA, Dallas Theological Seminary) is a pastor at Cornerstone Church in Atlanta, Georgia, and a Council member of The Gospel Coalition. He’s the author of Prayer: How Praying Together Shapes the Church and What if I Don't Desire to Pray? He and his wife, Shawndra, are the proud parents of one daughter, Ava.

A production of the Institute for Biblical Counseling & Discipleship, the Hope + Help Podcast offers compassionate biblical conversations about life's challenging problems. The podcast accomplishes this by offering a mix of interviews with seasoned biblical counseling professionals and ministry leaders on a variety of topics. Listeners can expect to receive biblical wisdom as well as practical steps for facing suffering, struggling, and sin with courage and grace. Hosted by author/writer Christine M. Chappell. 

What if I Don't Desire to Pray • If you are a Christian, then you know that prayer is important. Like eating your vegetables, you know it’s good to do—but what about times when you simply don’t want to pray? John Onwuchekwa encourages Christians to talk with their heavenly Father even when it’s hard. This short treatment on prayer will help you understand the basics of why, what, and how to pray as you worship and serve in the local church body.