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Avoid Obstacles to Effective Prayer - 2

James 1:1-8

 

Some of King David’s prayers are recorded in the Psalms. There we read how he praised the Lord, confessed sin, and cried out about his troubles. He also asked God to hear his prayers and not be silent. Psalm 28:1- Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. 

We are looking at the things the Word of God says will hinder our prayers. We have looked at “wavering faith and wrong motives,” let’s look at a few more hindrances to effective praying.

 

  1. Conflict in relationships – Being resentful or argumentative with others will affect communication with our Heavenly Father.         I Peter 3:7 - Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heir together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
  2. Lack of generosity – Proverbs 21:13 “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself but shall not be heard.” God is displeased if we ignore people’s needs or give begrudgingly to the church. He hears us asking for a blessing yet sees us refusing to obey Him in our giving. (I Timothy 6:17-19) “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.”
  3. Indifference – Proverbs 28:9 – “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” Apathy to Scriptures is another stumbling block. God has given us the Bible so that we might know Him and serve Him wholeheartedly. Failure to read and apply His word consistently will diminish our ability to maintain a godly lifestyle.

 

To develop a strong prayer life takes effort and commitment, but the rewards are great. If your prayers have not been answered, consider which, if any, of these issues may need correction. Then start by personalizing the prayers you read in the Psalms or elsewhere in God’s Word.