I am from Sudan and I'm not part of a very religious family. When I went to visit Sudan I became very religious, but soon after I came back to the US I stopped praying and I can't begin to pray. I regret everyday but if can't get myself to.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

First of all we advise you to read Fataawa: 87373, 81642 and 86405 in relation to residing in non-Muslim countries, and Fataawa: 81555, 84291, 88690 and 82961 on the ruling of abandoning or neglecting prayers.

You should know that there are many dangers in residing in a non-Muslim country, because the freedom in that country, has no religious bounds, which tempts a person in his religion and incites his desires so that he falls into what Allaah has forbidden. That is why the Prophet warned us against living in a non-Muslim country (details are mentioned in the above mentioned Fataawa).

Your presence in that country may be the reason you abandoned the prayer. Perhaps you know the danger of abandoning and neglecting the prayers and the severe threat that is mentioned in this regard. Some scholars are of the view that not performing prayers even out of laziness takes the person out of the fold of Islam. Therefore, if staying in that country is the reason of being tempted in your religion, then it is an obligation on you to return to your Muslim country and reside there. You must take the initiative to travel before death comes to you while you are on that state.

Allaah knows best.