"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" (2 Cor. 5:17 NLT)

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” (Jeremiah 29:11-14 NLT)

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Prayer - Pray Without Hinderance

















Are you aware that there are many things that can make your prayers ineffective?

“Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call.  2 It’s your sins that have cut you off from God.  Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.” (Isaiah 59:1-2 NLT)

Selfishness or Pride

The motives of our prayers are of the greatest importance.  If we go to God with a motive that is selfish, God won’t answer it.

“And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.” (James 4:3 NLT)

Idolatry

When you think of an idol, what do you think of?  Perhaps, images or statues of gold, wood, or bronze?  Did you know an idol can be defined as anything or anyone that takes the place of God in your life?  This could be another person, a relationship, your career, a hobby or activity, or even money.

When we place something else in our life above God, your prayers will go unanswered.  God must come first!

“Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin. Why should I listen to their requests?” (Ezekiel 14:3 NLT)

Unforgiveness

If there is someone in your life that you have not forgiven, someone that you are holding a grudge against, your prayer life will suffer.  Besides displeasing God, anger, controversy and unforgiveness make prayer difficult.  When we refuse to forgive others, a root of bitterness grows up in our hearts and chokes our prayers.  By not letting go of the grudge and forgiving, you are sinning.  God expects us to forgive others as we have been forgiven.  The sin of unforgiveness will hinder your prayers.

“In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.” (1 Timothy 2:8 NLT)

“But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” (Mark 11:25 NLT)

Jesus said that we should interrupt our prayers, if needed, and make peace with others.

“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” (Matthew 5:23-24 NLT)

God wants us to obey him immediately and thoroughly.  Our goal should be to have a right relationship with God and also with others.

Indifference

You will be heard as you hear.  If we ignore the requests of others who are in need and turn our backs on them, how can we expect our Father to hear us when we cry out to Him for help?

“Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.” (Proverbs 21:13 NLT)

Jesus is serious about us showing compassion to those in need.  We cannot separate passion for God from compassion for man.  As believers, we are called to exemplify the love of God every day.  We can’t serve God properly without also serving man.

31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.  34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’  37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’  40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” (Matthew 25:31-44 NLT)

Despising the Law

Those who rebel against God’s word – not listening to it, not seeking it, not living according to it – should know that God is repulsed by their prayers.  How can one who despises God’s law expect God to listen to them when they are in trouble if they have spent their lives dismissing His instructions?

“God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law.” (Proverbs 28:9 NLT)

“But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” (John 15:7 NLT)

Unbelief and Doubt

Believing is the best known condition for prayer.  This does not mean that because we come to God convinced that He will grant our request that He is obligated to do so.  Praying without doubt means praying in the secure belief and understanding of God’s character, nature and motives.  We must believe in His ability to grant any request that is in accordance with His will and purpose.  We must pray with the understanding that whatever He purposes is the best possible scenario.

“You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” (Matthew 21:22 NLT)

“6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” (James 1:6-8 NLT)

Discordance in the Home

Discord in the home is a definite obstacle to prayer.  If a husband’s attitude toward his wife is less than godly, this is a hindrance to his prayers.

“In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.” (1 Peter 3:7 NLT)

Likewise, wives are to follow the biblical principles of submission to their husbands’ headship if their own prayers are not to be hindered.

“22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24 As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.” (Ephesians 5:22-24 NLT)

Unconfessed Sin

If you feel as though your prayers are going unanswered, you may want to consider whether there is any unconfessed sin in your life.  Perhaps you are committing a sin right now that you do not even recognize as sin because “everybody is doing it.”

“If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” (Psalm 66:18 NLT)

“We know that God doesn't listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will.” (John 9:31 NLT)

“Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call.  2 It’s your sins that have cut you off from God.  Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.” (Isaiah 59:1-2 NLT)

God Sees and Knows All

Obviously our Almighty God see and knows all things.  There is no prayer that any person has ever offered that God does not know about.  He knows the contents of every prayer offered.  When the Bible says that God does not hear the prayers of sinners, it does not mean that he cannot hear them; it simply means that God will not comply with the sinner’s requests.  He will not empower them in their wickedness; it is to God as if they have not spoken.

With that being said, God may respond to even the prayer of the wicked because His grace outweighs His wrath.  However, He is under no obligation to do so. 

What to Do?

All these prayer hindrances can be dealt with at once by coming to God in prayers of confession and true, honest repentance.  Once we have done that, we can enjoy a clear, open channel of communication with God.  Once those hindrances are removed, you will again see God working through your prayers.

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