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.
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Real Dudes,
Last month’s Ox Strong get together in April was held on the day after Jay Glandon’s funeral. Gary shared with us that most people have an opportunity to tell their loved one’s “goodbye.” Gary and Jay used to tell each other “see you later” as they’d leave each other’s presence. Though Gary never had the opportunity to tell Jay “goodbye,” before she left this earth, he does know for certain that he will see her later…in heaven. That’s the hope we as believers have in the Lord (see the 1 Thessalonians 4 passage below). When I attended Maranatha Baptist Bible College we’d often be reminded of what maranatha meant in the New Testament (see meaning below). Even if Gary and Jay were unaware of the meaning of maranatha, they still believed and practiced the truth behind it. And they, like all believers, look forward to that reuniting in heaven one day…when “see you later” becomes a reality of what is now a “see you forever.” So, “What does ‘maranatha’ mean? Maranatha is an Aramaic word that means ‘the Lord is coming’ or ‘come, O Lord.’ The early church faced much persecution, and life for a Christian under Roman rule was not easy. The Romans required everyone to declare that Caesar was god. The early Christians knew that there is only one God and one Lord—Jesus Christ—and in all good conscience they could not call Caesar ‘Lord,’ so the Romans looked upon them as traitors, persecuted them, and put them to death. Living under those adverse conditions, the believers’ morale was lifted by the hope of the coming of the Lord. ‘Maranatha!’ became the common greeting of the oppressed believers, replacing the Jewish greeting shalom (‘peace’). The followers of Jesus knew there would be no peace because Jesus had told them so (Matthew 10:34; Luke 12:51). But they also knew the Lord would be returning to set up His kingdom, and from that truth they drew great comfort. They were constantly reminding and being reminded that the Lord is coming (Luke 21:28; Revelation 22:12). Jesus taught several parables on this same theme of watching and waiting and being prepared for His return (Matthew 25:1-13; Luke 12:35-40). Today, believers in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ live our lives in the light of the knowledge that He can come at any time. We are to be ready when the call comes. Every day we should expect Him to come, and every day we should long for Him to come. Maranatha reminds us to keep our eyes on the eternal things of the Spirit. To dwell on material things is to be in constant mental turmoil. Looking down, we see the earth; looking around, we see earthly things. But looking up, we see the hope of the soon coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. To those who are discouraged today, Maranatha! To those who are worried today, Maranatha! To those who are filled with anxiety over the problems they are facing, Maranatha! Our Lord is coming!” From gotquestions.org Keep Looking Up! Nate Be reminded of this truth and encouragement today from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (ESV) The Coming of the Lord 13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. |
AuthorNate Smith is a husband, a father of 6 girls, grandpa to 3 granddaughters and one grandson, a police and fire chaplain, a pastor, and has a passion to see men grow in Christ. #girldad including granddaughter
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