HINDRANCES TO PRAYER
By Dr. Barry L. Davis
1. FALSE MOTIVES
(James
4:3) When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask
with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
2. SIN
(Isa 59:1-2) Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. {2} But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.
3. IDOLATRY
(Ezek 14:3) "Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all?
4. STINGINESS
(Prov 21:13) If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.
5. UNFORGIVING SPIRIT
(Mark 11:25) And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."
6. WRONG RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN HUSBAND & WIFE
(1 Pet 3:7) 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.
7. UNBELIEF
(James 1:5-7) If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. {6} But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. {7} That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;