Hindrances to Prayer

The Lutheran Ambassador - November 4, 1986

                At the same time that our Lord graciously invites us to pray and gives us so many rich promises, He is clear in explaining what may hinder our prayers, what may prevent us from seeing answers to prayers.
               
v Unforgiveness

                In the Lord's Prayer, which serves as a model for all of our praying, our Lord teaches us to pray, "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" (Matthew 6:!2). He then explains that if we are unwilling to forgive, our Father will not forgive us (6:14-15). Our Lord further illustrates the consequences of the lack of forgiveness in the account of the man, who, after having been forgiven so much himself, failed to forgive his neighbor. Our Lord warns that the heavenly Father will visit similar judgment on the one who fails to forgive another. The reminder of our own forgiveness is helpful as we are confronted with those who have offended us. " Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:32).
                An unforgiving spirit is one of the most common hindrances to prayer. Prayer is answered on the basis that our sins are forgiven, but God cannot deal with us on the basis of forgiveness while we are harboring a grudge or bitter spirit against someone who has wronged us. Anyone who is holding a grudge against someone else has closed God's ear to his petition. The psalmist says, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me" (Psalm 66:18).
                Perhaps there are those reading these lines who have been praying for a long time that their husband, wife, or their children would be saved. If there is the sin of unforgiveness, however, those prayers are ineffectual. It is through the indwelling Holy Spirit that one is enabled to forgive one's enemies. Through relying on Him, one can pray like Stephen who cried out on behalf of his persecutors as he was dying a martyr's death "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge" (Acts 7:60).

v  Unbelief

                While unforgiveness may be the most common hindrance to prayer, perhaps unbelief is the greatest hindrance. In the account of the disciples' inability to handle the demon-possessed boy, our Lord revealed that it was lack of faith which was the problem (Matthew 17:14-20). Again and again He promised answers to prayer on the basis of faith (Matthew 21:22, Mark 11:24, et.)
                How can our faith be strengthened as we approach God in prayer? It is through the Gospel promises that faith is created and strengthened. Yes, "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). Abraham is described in Scripture as staggering not through unbelief, "fully persuaded that what He (God) had promised, He was able to perform" (Romans 4:21). He believed God's promises as he heard them. The promises themselves, through the power of the Holy Spirit, worked faith.

v Selfishness

                Too often our prayers are tainted with selfishness. While our Lord invites us to pray for our own needs, too (e.g. the Lord's Prayer), the larger concern should be with the needs of others. It may not be that the thing we ask for is wrong, but our motive for asking may be wrong. We are to ask for God's glory (John 14:13), not simply because our conditions would improve.
                Is it possible that a Christian wife or husband is praying for their spouse's conversion so that is will be more pleasant at home? This is selfishness. The godly motive should be that the mate will no longer dishonor God by neglecting salvation. Is it possible to pray selfishly for revival? Sometimes cries for revival may mean nothing more than a congregation wanting to increase its income through added members. It is when we can no longer bear to have God displeased with the worldliness of our churches that we are on the road to revival. O Lord, purify our motives as we pray "Revive Thy Church".