How can one overcome the whispers of Satan and the evil-inclining self (nafs al-ammarah bi'l-su') to return to prayer after having stopped?

The matter of prayer is grave, and abandoning it is among the greatest sins and major transgressions. The sin of abandoning it is greater than the sin of murder, adultery, drinking alcohol, theft, and consuming usury, by consensus of the Muslims. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, called abandoning it disbelief in several hadiths, among them: “The covenant between us and them is prayer; whoever abandons it has disbelieved,” and “Indeed, between a man and polytheism and disbelief is the abandonment of prayer.” The first thing a servant will be held accountable for on the Day of Judgment regarding his deeds is his prayer. If it is sound, he will have succeeded and prospered; and if it is corrupt, he will have failed and lost.