Introduction
There are many things in the Bible that are hindrances to prayers, but I want to break all those hindrances to prayers into two categories. These two things are the summary of everything that hindered our prayers from being answered.
Therefore, I believe that many Christians are supposed to get answers to their prayers, but they have allowed certain things to cause hindrances to the prayers that they are making.
Let’s start with the Word of God.
What Bible Says on Prayers
Joyful Living in Christian Life
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (1 Peter 3:7, 12 KJV)
Prayer is asking and receiving from my Heavenly Father.
It is also an avenue for me to build a very close relationship with him, it is not only about asking and receiving, but also a way for me to get to know my Heavenly Father more and more.
Therefore, every child of God has the right to come boldly to the throne of Grace.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16 KJV)
Moreover, if you will come boldly to him in prayer, you have to understand that, there are some key elements that will help you to get your prayers answered, and also there are some unwanted things that God will not want to tolerate for his children.
So what are those things that hinder our prayers?
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. (Psalms 66:18-20 KJV)
The Hindrances to the Prayers
LIVING A DISOBEDIENT LIFE
God will not tolerate disobedient children.
When you disobey God, it breaks God’s heart, and sometimes you will cry and cry and cry, God will not answer simply because you have not been obeying Him.
Joshua obeyed the Lord when he wholly followed Him with all his heart. Achan disobeyed and he hindered the victory of God’s people, and he was destroyed with his family.
How much can you continue to live a disobedient life, and you still expect God to bless you? It is not going to work that way.
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. (Psalms 24:3-5 KJV)
The generation of people that left Egypt with Moses was not permitted to enter into the promised land because of the failure to trust the Lord, that is disobedient folks.
You don’t disobey God, and then walk away free, it is not going to happen. God knows how to deal with his own.
Some pastors will pray for God to bless those who are living a wayward life and sinful lifestyles, first God wants them to come to the point where they see their sins as sinful before the Holy God.
God wants them to repent, and for them be saved. God has standards for his children, and if you want your prayers answered you must adhere to God’s rule, that is living your life to obey Him.
Second, SELFISH REQUEST
What is the purpose of your request?
Why are you asking what you are asking?
What is your final motive behind your request?
Is it to bring glory to yourself or God?
Is it for everybody to see you as an important person in society or to bring glory to God?
How about this verse in the Bible?
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (James 4:2-3 KJV)
James and John have good requests but for themselves, they were not thinking about other disciples, but themselves only.
How about your prayer list? Is it full of mine oh Lord, mine oh Lord, or about others?
And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. (Mark 10:35-37 KJV)
Conclusion
It is recorded of one man prayed the following selfish prayer:
“Lord, wilt thou be pleased to preserve me in health today. It is so miserable to be sick; besides I have so much to do. Keep all my family in health, for I need their help. Be pleased also, Lord, to protect my buildings from fire and storm; protect my stock from disease, and especially my horses, for I greatly need their service today. Now, Lord, do all these things for me, and all else that might be in my interest. Amen.”
(Gospel Trumpet)
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