Title: *Hindrances to Prayer* - Section 2

 

Title: *STRESS RELIEVER 2* Light Orb 10 - Visual Prayer Art from Collection Painted by Rev.Bola

Hindrances to Prayer – The Problem
 The Bible is clear that there are hindrances to prayer. Have you ever felt like your prayers are hitting the ceiling and going no further? Let’s study what the Bible says about effective prayer.

Hindrances to Prayer – The Reasons
The Bible lists several hindrances to prayer. Here are a few of them:

• Unconfessed Sin – When there is sin in the life of a believer, it creates a barrier in fellowship between you and God. Isaiah 59:2 says, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”
• Living in “the flesh” – When you begin a relationship with Christ, you receive a new nature. Even so, that nature resides in the old flesh. Sometimes you give control over to your old nature (“the flesh”), which is sinful. Believers are reminded: “For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13). Living in the flesh is another hindrance to prayer.
• Failure to spend time in God’s Word – “If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable” (Proverbs 28:9).
• Incorrect Motives – Motivation in prayer is very important. When your prayers are selfishly motivated, that hinders your prayers. James 4:3 says, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” Your prayers should not be focused on fulfilling your own selfish desires.
• Misunderstanding of prayer – The Bible explains that prayer isn’t about getting God to bends His will to your will. Instead, prayer is about cooperating with God and abandoning your desires and submitting to God’s will. 1 John 5:14 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
• Indifference to the needs of others – Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” When you are indifferent to the needs of others, you can expect your prayers to be hindered.
• Doubt and Unbelief – “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Your confidence should be in God’s ability to answer your prayers in accordance with His will.
  
  
• Family Problems – 1 Peter 3:7 says, “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”
• Vain repetition – “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words” (Matthew 6:7).

Hindrances to Prayer - The Remedy
All hindrances to prayer can be remedied by confession and repentance. God doesn’t want your prayers to be hindered. He desires intimate fellowship with His children and for the lines of communication to remain open.
1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

As your fellowship with God is strengthened, you’ll be more in tune with God’s will and will pray accordingly.

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Posted by Rev.Bola