Joyce Meyer gave an insight into prayer, why it is important and the reasons we often avoid it in her daily devotional.

She suggested that life for many Christians is more challenging than it need be "because we do not realise how powerful prayer is. If we did, we would pray about everything, not as a last resort, but as a first response."

Many Christians "treat prayer as a last-ditch effort" out of fear that God is angry, won't listen or is too busy with other people's issues.

Rather, she said believers should follow the model given in Phillipians 4:6:

"Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God."

She also refers to James 5:13, where the apostle offers a "simple, three-word solution to some of life's challenges: 'He should pray.'" Rather than shying away from approaching God, or attempting to solve things independently, she suggests it is wise to go to God throughout the day. An advantage of this, she said, was that "the more you pray, the closer to God you will be."

Rather than fearing God's disinterest, "let God be the first person you talk to about how you are feeling. He loves you, and when you go to Him in prayer, you will be amazed at what a difference it will make in your life."