By Rev Josh Chigorimbo
INTRODUCTION:
God loves to answer our prayers speedily. Often when we don’t get the answers we expect, our pride assumes the problem is either God or the devil. Well, often is neither: the problem lies squarely upon our shoulders. Often the hindrance to answered prayer is either in your heart or in your house. That refers to the issues in your heart or issues with the people around you. It’s usually either personal or interpersonal. So the following 10 hindrances align with one category or other. Can you see which?
1. DOUBT
2. GRUDGES
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. Mark 11:25-26
3. HYPOCRISY
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Mat 6:5-6
4. VAIN REPETITIONS
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Mat 6:7
5. HEART INIQUITY
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. Psalm 66:18
Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear. Isa 59:1-2
6. MARITAL CONFLICT
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. 1 Peter 3:7
7. NOT CONFESSING CHRIST
Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. Luke 12:8-9
8. SPIRIT OF FEAR
As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. Mark 5:36
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Romans 8:15
9. IGNORANCE
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. Hosea 4:6
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. 2 Pet 1:3
10. IMPATIENCE
1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart…7And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? Luke 18:1-8
© Rev Josh Chigorimbo, 2014