Bible-Based Hindrances to Prayer

Bible-Based Hindrances to Prayer

I. Hindrances that Break Connection

       between Man and God: (Gordon,

       p. 67+)

      1.   Cherished Iniquity (Ps. 66:18)

      (a) Problem: Isa. 1:15; Isa. 59:1-        3;

(b) Solution: Mat. 12:31; 1 John 1:9;Jer. 36:3

      2.   Not Asking (Jam. 4:2)

      3.   Asking Amiss--Motive (Jam. 4:3)

      4.   Unforgiveness--Matt. 5:23,24; Matt. 6:9-15; Matt. 18:19-35; Mark 11:26,27.

      5.   Double-mindedness--James 1:7,8

      6.   Criticism (of God and man); Counterfeit of Intercession--Jas. 3:6; Matt. 5:22; Gal. 6:1

      7.   Worshiping the Wrong God (Idols in the heart) --Matt. 6:24; Eze. 9:6-12

II. Hindrances that Delay

    Results: (Gordon, p. 81+)

      1.   Lack of training and ignorance--Jam. 4:2,3; Acts 1:4-8,14;1 John 2:20-27

      2.   Unyielded will (wilful praying)--Matt. 26:39

      3.   Impatient Prayers (Not waiting for God's time/way)--Hab. 2:2

a. Moses strikes rock twice--Num. 20:21

b. King Saul would not wait--1 Sam. 13:8-14

c. Hannah/Samuel--To fit God's greater plan, he was making a man. – 1 Sam. 1

d. For the benefit of others (Moses prayer to enter heaven)--Deut. 3:23-27

      4.   Lack of Faith--Matt. 17:20; Mk. 9:24; Matt.8:26

5.         Division (Between husband and wife; between brother and brother)–Mal. 2:13,14; Prov. 21:9; Prov. 6:19; Matt. 5:23, 24

      6.   Fiery Tongues (James 3:8-12)

      7.   Self-righteousness/Self-confidence (Laodicean Syndrome)--Luke 18:10-14; Rev. 3:14-20

III. The Great Outside Hindrances:

      1.   The World Environment (Cares of this world entering in choke . . .)--Matt. 13:22

      2.   Opposition from God's Enemy (Battle in Progress!)--Daniel 9,10; Eph. 6:10-18; 2 Cor. 10:3-5

      3.   A Withholding Spirit--Mal. 3:10; Luke 6:38 (Give and it shall be given . . .); Matt. 25:31-46 ("Inasmuch as ye have done unto one of the least of these . . .;" (Also Acts 10:4)

      4.   Fiery Arrows--Eph. 6:16 (Doubt, fear, guilt, anxiety)

      5.   The Martha Syndrome-- (Preoccupation with temporal tasks, wrong priorities)--Luke 10:38-42

      6.   The Lion's Roar--(Preoccupation with Satanic activities and victories)--1 Pet. 5:8

      7.   Spiritual Deception (heresy, fanaticism, faddism, legalism, etc.)--Matt. 24:4,5,24; 2 Tim. 3:1-7; Col. 2:8