why is it difficult?

It's helpful to know why people find praying together difficult. Here's some common issues that we may well have to address...

"Because we are different from each other"
“Learning to overcome our irritations with the way the other prayed was a challenge.” - Hazel felt that John’s prayers were too long; John felt that Hazel’s were feebly short and practical! However thischanged with practice “from a very reluctant and rocky start, we have come to find that the person we most want to pray with is each other and it is one of the most important things we do!”  (John and Hazel Kerr’s story from the 'When2Pray' book)
"Because it makes me feel silly!"
Perhaps we feel shy or lacking in confidence and may have never prayed out loud with anyone else .  For some prayer seems like a very private activity. The e-prayers can really help you learn first steps in praying together and you will quickly see the value in your relationship.
Barrie and Eileen Jones from the When2Pray book: “It was a matter of gritting our teeth and keeping going through the embarrassment and awkwardness I certainly felt as we began”… They made an agreement that if one suggested a time of prayer the other would not refuse even if there was a need to finish another task first …. ”As we look back we can see this was the gold brick in the foundations we laid, helping us to grow without fear of rejection, in confidence with God and each other”
"Because we feel defensive or threatened"
This is normal – it’s very easy to think “I’m not as “holy” or “mature” as he/she is or “You pray so differently to me” . “I wanted us to pray together but I felt very small and incapable – inadequate to reach her standards …  We have such starkly different styles; Liz will be given words, I will see a picture.” Daring to be open and vulnerable with each other allowed Dave and Liz to move on in intimacy and satisfying (not perfect) prayer together. Dave and Liz Percival (founders of the 2-in-2-1 marriage support website) from the WHEN2PRAY book.
"Because we're so busy"
Mark and Christine Daniel of When2Pray and FamilyLife: "We've found that praying together just doesn't happen unless it's in the diary. "