Jon Gary Williams
Articles / Resources
Article 88 - Prayer #4
Seven Lessons on Prayer
Jon Gary Williams
Lesson 4 - Hindrances To Acceptable Prayer
What are the hindrances to prayer? To discover this, all one need do, is to look again at the conditions of acceptable prayer. Lacking in any of these will surely be a hindrance to prayer.
1. A lack of faith that God can answer prayer.
2. Failing to be obedient to God's word.
3. Failing to be submissive to God's will.
4. Having an unforgiving spirit.
5. Praying with an improper motive.
6. Failing to have a pure heart.
7. Being haughty and not humble.
8. Disregarding Christ in prayer.
But, now, there are a few more things to add.
First, being too occupied with the world - - a "too busy" life.
Of the seeds sown among the thorns, Jesus said, "Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful." (Mk. 4:18,19)
Being caught up in the world will cause one to lose sight of prayer and will then push prayer completely out. To avoid this and any other spiritual failure on our part, Jesus spoke these important words, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness..." (Mt. 6:33)
Second, a failure to realize our complete dependence on God.
Call to mind the rich man of Luke chapter twelve. In his plans for life, he failed to take God into account. He spoke - but not to God. He said, "Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years, take thine ease, eat drink and be merry." Then God told him, "Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?" (Lk. 12:20)
When man ceases to pray, this means he has lost sight of his dependence on God.
Click here for Lesson 5: Prayer and Divine Providence