Assalamu-alaikum,
When we perform our salaah out of Love and Gratitude to Allah, rather than a ritualistic duty - than there is more meaning to our prayers, and we are in a state of wanting to prostrate to Him.
We are drowning in so many 'minor' (and major) sins today, that our hearts find difficulty in 'beating for Allah'.
Remind yourself constantly - what is the actual purpose of your existence?
Is it not for the worship of Allah?
Az-Zaariyaat 51:56
"And I (Allâh) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone)."
We can not focus on this purpose if our minds and hearts are 'cluttered' by the fitnahs of this world.
Are we willing to give up TV, movies, pornographic sites, the tunes of shaytaan (music), illicit relationships, gossiping, backbiting, etc - ALL for Allah?
Are we willing to change our way of dress, our speech and mannerisms - to the way of the prophet (sallalahu alaihi wasalam), who was most beloved to Allah?
If not, then how do we expect to gain any satisfaction from our ibaadat?
Do we remember HOW MUCH Allah has blessed us with?
Our sight, hearing, intellect; our families, food, shelter.........if we had to spend our entire lives JUST in the worship of Allah, we still will not be able to thank Allah sufficiently for all that He has bestowed on us.
Just think about that.....
Yet, all He asks of us is just 5 prayers a day!
We have to make the effort to change our HEARTS - by having the desire to live in accordance to all that He has commanded for us.
If there is no change of the heart - then our salaah is simply a means of 'gymnastics' - a physical act, that has little meaning.
So my few suggestions would be:
1. Constantly remind yourself of the purpose of your existence - the worship of Allah.
2. Make the effort to give up all that is haraam/ displeasing to Allah......this life is just a temporary amusement - when are we going to realise this?
3. Read Quraan (with translation) daily - remembering that this is our Creator, speaking to US. How can we love Him, if we dont have a desire to know what He is telling us?
4. Try to befriend those, who remind you of Allah. Insha Allah, your hearts will start to work in sync - towards His worship.
5. Know that Allah is watching over you at all times (al muraqabah) - imagine His disapointment and displeasure when we miss a salaah.
6. Remember death frequently.......that every moment that is passing is forever gone. And oneday, when we take our final breathes we would be wishing that we had the chance to make just one more sujood before Allah.
7. Give up all that is haraam/ displeasing to Allah.......Im repeating this, because it is SO important.
^ If we are not willing in this regard, then we shouldnt expect to see any changes in our outward actions.
These are just a few that come to mind at present.
Insha Allah, there are more knowledgable members here who can provide more advice.
:wa: