Prayer Series...Part 1 of 3, by Kaylene Yoder

5 Ways we can Hinder our Prayers –
Kaylene Yoder https://kayleneyoder.com/hinder-prayers/
Many people wonder, “Am I praying in a way that God will answer me?”
Often that comes from a misunderstanding about what prayer is. Prayer is never about manipulating God to do something for us.
Prayer is less about what we can get, and more about how our heart is set.
He’s not interested in fancy prayers. He interested in hearing our hearts. Talk to God like you would talk to a friend. If you’re frustrated, spill it to God. He is the safest place to dump your junk.
That being said, there could be times we hinder our prayers through the choices we make and the attitudes we carry.
1. Prayers can be hindered by pride & sin.
Isaiah 59:1-2 says, “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor is His ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.”
When we harbor sin in our hearts, no matter how public or hidden, it impacts our connection to our Father in a negative way.
If you’re living in sin, keep in mind that God can’t bless what is not in His will.
2. Prayers can be hindered by unforgiveness.
Mark 11:25-26 says, “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your sins.”
This is a sobering thought. At times it feels like this forgiveness thing is impossible.
But it is also important to understand that forgiveness is not a one-time event for most people. More often forgiveness is a journey. Some days are good. Some days are not. Forgiveness often comes in layers as the days are lived out. God will give us the grace & strength to forgive according to the degree of healing He is doing in us. 
We will gain a lifetime of freedom when we persist in making forgiveness our lifestyle.
3. Prayers can be hindered by dealing harshly with our spouse and family.
This one is addresses husbands, but it applies to all our relationships.
1 Peter 3:7 says, “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” 
1 Peter 4:7 also encourages us, “Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.”
The more we pray and build relationship with God, the wiser we become and we’re better able to deal gently and considerately in our relationships.
Prayer should never be about fixing the other person. It is our job to pray. It is God’s job to do the fixing.
4. Prayers could be hindered when we doubt.
Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
James 1: 5-8 reminds us that, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind, that man should not think that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”
5. Prayers can be hindered when not in God’s will.
1 John 5:14-15 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we ask of Him.”
So the big question here is, “How do we know that what we ask is in His will?” 
And that answer is simple. We can know we’re asking something according to God’s will, when what we’re asking for lines up with His Word.
That is why praying Scripture is so powerful. And what ultimately inspired me to write prayer books.