Christians can pray anytime. In fact, believers are instructed to never give up on praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17). However, we are sometimes discouraged when we think we have prayed sincerely and according to God’s will, and yet it appears that God has not answered. Could it be that something has hindered our prayers in those instances?
Satan would be happy if we did not recognize the hindrances to prayer. If he can just get us distracted or discouraged, he has won a battle and hindered us in our prayer life. There are some devices of the devil that he uses to hinder our prayers. One such device is doubt. If a disciple of Christ begins to doubt his right to pray or doubt that God will hear, then it is all too easy to quit praying. Sometimes God may say no to our petitions. Even if He does, do not doubt His power. Do not doubt God’s faithfulness. Know that His ears are open to the supplications of the righteous (1 Peter 3:12).
If we are arrogant and haughty like the Pharisee in Luke 18, we should expect our prayers to be hindered. This Pharisee spent his whole prayer boasting. He evidently had no humility, only pride. His self-righteous attitude kept him from being acceptable to God (Luke 18:14). If the believer has an unforgiving spirit, he should not expect God to give an affirmative response to his plea for forgiveness (Matthew 6:12-15).
Another hindrance to prayer is not being in a right relationship with God. If we are walking in the path of unrighteousness, disregarding the will of God, we should expect our prayers to be hindered. Solomon said if we stop our ears to God’s Word and do not listen to God, our prayer is an abomination unto him (Proverbs 28:9). However, if we are obedient and do the things that are pleasing unto God, we can expect him to hear us (1 John 3:22).
Since our God is a jealous God, if we put anything or anyone before him, it certainly would be a hindrance to our prayers (Exodus 20:5). If a husband does not give due considerationto his wife, his prayers will be hindered (1 Peter 3:7). There are other things that could hinder prayers, so Christians should do their best to avoid anything that hinders their communication with God. Remember to pray in faith, according to God’s will, living a righteous life with an attitude of “thy will be done” in all things (James 1:6; 1 John 5:14; 1 Peter 3:12; Luke 22:42).
