What Hinders our Prayers?

Those who know me understand that I prayerfully seek guidance on what the Lord wants for you as you read these words. I don’t know whether you’ve just come across this website or are in one of the four sister-to-sister disciple groups.

But that’s okay. I started and stumbled through two articles, none of which were sufficient. It wasn’t what the Lord wanted me to share. This morning, as I read 1 Corinthians, it became clear.

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and there be no divisions among you. 1 Cor 1:10 NIV.

We are a divided country, but also divided among our brothers and sisters. I understand how politicians have used biblical language to unite their parties. I prefer to avoid getting into the weeds and discussing that political landscape. We need to find out why we’re divided.

There’s sin in the camp.

It’s Threefold

Why do God’s people still live in sin? There’s a threefold reason:

• They choose to sin. They’re content with living without God’s manifest power. God has given us all the power and protection to overcome the enemy of our soul, the evil one. They prefer sin to being set free from it. They are surely unfaithful.
• They’ve never received a full and clear teaching about the truth of God’s word. Although Satan has been defeated, he still has the power to deceive. Deception, by its very nature, is dangerous because we don’t know what we don’t know. Satan easily targets those who are not grounded in the Holy Scriptures. Why? Because Satan can keep them in his imaginary chains as long as he can keep the truth from them.
• They know not God. He is some imaginary Being sent to save and give them a ticket to heaven. He’s the man upstairs, the giver of good things, and like a good Santa Claus, they think He’s keeping a record of who is naughty and nice. They pray, and they pray, and they pray, but only meet silence because they pray, not knowing who they pray to.

I could spend hours discussing these without addressing the information age of social media and streaming, which only adds to the problem. I have written about the first and second in the past. I feel sorrow for those who are content with their unfaithfulness, and even more sorrow for those who are misinformed or do not know God or His word.

But this morning, we need to understand why our prayers might go unanswered. We need to remember who is listening as we pray.

Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. Gove heed to the voice of my cry, My King, and my God, for to You, I will pray. My voice you shall hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning I will direct it to you, and look up. Psalm 5:1-3 NKJV.

Teach us to pray

In their formative years, God’s people have learned the fundamentals of prayer. But have we ever considered how prayer forms the foundation of a deep and meaningful relationship with God? Prayer is a vital communication channel that allows us to express gratitude, seek His guidance, confess our sins, and intercede for others.

But foremost, we must know who we are listening to our prayer. Even in the first part of the Lord’s prayer, He recognizes Him as “Our Father who art in heaven, holy if be Thy name.” Jesus meant for us to acknowledge God in our prayer life.

Granted, there are prayers of adoration, thanksgiving, supplication, intercession, and contemplation, but they all have one thing in common—the Lord God is listening.

The Secret Place

What happens when you go into a private place to pray and have fellowship with God? What happens when the Holy Spirit ushers you into the presence of God in Christ, in awe of Jesus? Are you in awe of Him? Do you listen as He teaches you in His Word, or are you still in the holy hush?

Imagine this: He who is high and lifted up inclines His ear to hear you. The One who made this moment possible through reconciliation and redemption draws near you. He is on the Throne of Glory and yet desires a loving relationship with you.

Think about it. He who holds the universe together and establishes the world cares about you enough to listen. He takes delight in the birth of a star, calling it by name, and weeps as it dies into mere particles. How much more does He care for you and desire to hear your voice in the morning, evening, or night?

For I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea so its waves roar, and by My rebuke restrains it. The LORD of hosts is My name. And I put My words in your mouth and have covered you in the shadow of My hand. Isa 51:15-16a AMP.

Prayer and Scripture

When you pray, keep the word of God open before your eyes.

As I enter my seventh decade of life, I’ve learned that prayer is only part of what we need to enter into a loving relationship with God. He speaks, we listen, and we pray; He listens. We know God; He knows us.

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” A. W. Tozer.

An example

The Bible contains many examples of prayer, including the disciples’ prayer, the Lord’s prayer, Paul’s prayer, and even King Solomon’s prayer.

But the best example of the secret to prayer is in Jeremiah’s prayer:

… then I prayed to the LORD, saying, “Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You, who shows lovingkindness to thousands but repay the iniquity of fathers into the bosom of their children after them. O great and mighty God, the Lord of hosts is His name; great in counsel and mighty in deem whose eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, giving everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds.” Jer 32:16b-19 NASB.

Jeremiah acknowledged God before he prayed for the nation of Israel. More important than what we ask for is who is listening to our prayers.

So, how did God respond to Jeremiah’s prayer? With His word…

Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” Jer 32:26 NASB.

God assured Jeremiah that He had heard his prayer. God is unchangeable; He wants us to know that He’s listening to us and wants to respond in His word. As we read it aloud, we have the privilege of having God’s word in our mouths, and He answers our prayers through His Word.

In Conclusion

When you pray, go and get alone with God and close the door. Get comfortable in an easy chair. Close yourself in with Him and shut out all distractions to hear His voice honestly.

Pray for His ears only.

God is faithful in hearing and answering your prayers. Trust Him. He is as near as your breath and as close as the beating of your heart.

Keep God’s word open when you pray, and let the Holy Spirit lead you. You do not need to repeat the same thing again and again; He is listening. You don’t need to raise your voice to the rafters; He’s not deaf. Listen more and speak less; God is faithful and honest in responding to your prayer. Your Father knows what you need even before you ask.

Prayer and meditation on the nature of God. I have discovered that it is the best way to fellowship with the Holy One. Pray with all your heart, seek His face, and read Scripture as a Soul Reader. You’ll never regret it.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2.