God listens to all prayers but does not answer all prayers. Some get answers to their prayers quickly, some others with delays and while some others, almost never. The following could be the possible reasons why our prayers are hindered and we don’t find answers to what we pray for.
1. Refusing to hear the truth
The scriptures say in Proverbs 28:9 that everyone who turns away from listening to the words of God, his prayer, will be an abomination to God. This includes those who trivial the words of God sleeping in the church. They also include those who reject rebuke from God’s Word and hating the man of God who proclaim it.
2. Refusing to humble yourself
2 Chronicles 7:14 taught us to humble ourselves first before we pray. Humbling ourselves before God can be seen in two ways. First realizing we are nothing without him and without his grace, we would have long perished. Second, fasting is another way to humble ourselves before God. We humble the flesh by afflicting the flesh.
3. Forsaking God
God made this known in 2 Chronicles 15:2 that he remains with us so long as we remain with him. No man should expect answers to his prayers when he forsakes God and chase after worldly affairs.
4. Provoking God
Moses in Deuteronomy 3:26 said how God was angry with him and would not listen to him anymore. God was angry with Moses for his disobedience regarding the children of Israel and would not let him cross over Jordan. He did, however, let him view the Promised Land in every direction from the top of Mount Pisgah.
5. Hardheartedness
The people refuse to hear the words of God because of their stony hearts. When God sends his great wrath for rebellion, he will not heart when they cry (Zechariah 7:12-13).
6. Regarding inquiry in the heart
If you regard iniquity in the heart as the scriptures say, the Lord will not hear you (Psalm 66:18)
7. Wrong motives
James 4:3 says we don’t only receive from God because we do not ask, but because we ask with the wrong motives. God sees us as selfish when we consider our needs alone. The easiest way to get a thing from God is to ask that thing on behalf of others.
8. Dishonor of a marriage partner
Peter in 1 Peter 3:7 gave advice to married couples to honor themselves because failure to do so will hinder their prayer. Constant quarrelling and disagreement in the home should be avoided.
9. Unbelief
The disciples of Christ in Matthew 17:20-21 wanted to cast a devil from a person posses with devils but they could. They brought the person to Jesus, and he did it. The disciples asked Jesus why they could not, Jesus said because of the unbelief. He recommended prayer and fasting to help their unbelief. So pray and fast to increase your faith.
10. Sin
John 9:31 shows that God does not hear sinners but those who do his will and turn from their wicked ways he will always listen. Shun sin and turn to God.
11. Vain repetition
This is seen in Matthew 6:7. Vain repetition is repeating words repeatedly. This is usually practiced by the heathen. Such should be avoid. God frowns at such.
12. Unforgiveness
In Matthew 6:14-15 Jesus says God will forgive us our sins if we forgive the sins of others. When God doesn’t forgive our sins, he can’t answer our prayers.
13. Worry and anxiety
Philippians 4:6 says we should not be worried over anything, but through prayer we should make our request made to God.
14. Doubting
James 1:6 says we should always ask in faith with doubting or wavering. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. When God is not pleased, our prayer can’t be answered (Hebrews 11:6)
15. Parading prayer life
This means praying for others to see you. This involves the motive in the heart to be a seen and praised by men, but we should not be as the hypocrites. Jesus says when we pray, we should shut the door and God who sees in secret will bless openly (Matthew 6:6).
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