Hindrances to a Prayerful Life

Have you ever wondered why your prayer life has not been a great one? Have you ever looked into any hidden past sin, any hindrances that would have interfered with your prayer life? (Isaiah 59:1-2; James 4:1-4) Have those hindrances or obstacles been addressed and resolved so that nothing will interfere with your prayer life?

There are so many hindrances in the mind, in the heart, in the spirit as well as many of them are present in the physical realm.

Let’s look at II Corinthians 10:2-6 and see the hindrances that affect the mind. Are there any human standards, any strongholds or any obstacles that raised up against the knowledge of God in you? In the name of Jesus, take every thought captive to obey Christ and ready to punish every disobedience. Have a checkup from the neck up. Let the Word of God fill your mind. Renew your mind (Romans 12:2)

How about the issues of the heart? When was the last time you had your heart checkup? Are there disappointment, harbored anger, deep root of bitterness, subtle resentment with Satan crouching at the door of your heart wanting to enter? Many people have problems in marriage. They argue a lot over something so simple. They are frustrated over nothing, and sometimes they don’t even know what they were arguing or getting mad about.

Over a long period of time with unsettled things, which have been swept under the rug or ignored then come a sudden volcano exploding out of no where. In reality, there are red flags; there are rumbling noises; there are lava sprinkling here and there, but these signs have been ignored, counted like nothing significant to be paid any attention.

Broken relationships are bound to happen as a result of neglect to care for the heart issues; do not ignore the warning signs like the little problems of the heart like arrogance, unforgiveness, mistrust, and indifferent attitudes like “I don’t care about you any more.” They have finally surfaced to show what have been kept hidden over a long period of time.

When was the last time you have a spiritual checkup by going to see the Great Physician? When was the most recent time the Great Physician takes a look at the things that you described to Him, your lifestyles, your choices in life, your “eating at will, drinking at will, sinning at will or doing anything at will, outside the will of God for your life”? Sin is a terrible thing to keep hidden in the closet of your heart!

Many people sin simply by hanging around with the wrong crowd; bad companies affect a great mind and pollute a pure heart. You cannot hide sins in your heart or under your cover or under your tent like Acan and expect everything to go smoothly. The clouds may be gathering. The storms are coming. The time of God’s Spirit settling the sin account with you may be coming, and you must be ready for it. No more beating around the bush or hiding behind the bush like Adam and Eve.

God is calling out for your names. Where are you my children? Do you hear Jesus’ voice calling out your names in the wilderness of life, in the desert of sin, in the valley of the shadow of death or in the pit of Hell on earth? Will you reach out your hands and grab a hold of his hand? Will you look up into the heaven and realize that God in Christ Jesus still cares very much about you and your life? Will you repent of your sins today? Today is the day of your salvation and deliverance.

Turn your hearts toward Jesus. Call on the name of the Lord, and you shall be saved. Jesus’ name is powerful, and He is able to save you and deliver you.

In deed, the books you read and the association of friends you meet on a regular basis will influence you in some tangible and intangible ways. The negative attitudes will eventual take a hold of you. You’ll start speaking, acting and doing just like your friends without you even be conscious of the changes already started in you.

Are you too busy with too many things going on around self and other people and events? What about the distractions with TV, internet, radio, CD, and music? Sometimes, people could be so busy with going to church events, meetings and conferences and somehow forget completely everything about God, and neglect having a personal time and devotion with God.

Poor time management, laziness, wrong priorities could be indicators that you have lost your first love for God. Over a long period of neglecting to eat the Word of God and to drink the water from the River of Life could have led you to eventually having no love for God, no more passion for souls, no more desire to live for God and to do the things that God calls you to do. You need to take God seriously today. Don’t neglect His warnings for you.

So Great Physician, what should I do now? Pray and take my remedies I've prescribed for you today in my Word and by my Spirit. Get yourself free from any entanglement. Get all the distractions out of the way. Get your priorities straight. Get your prayer life going again soon.

The spirit is willing yet the body is weak. But remember, you need to be led by the Spirit and walk by the Spirit. You need the Holy Spirit to live for God. There is no other remedies for you but to trust in God and to take in the Word of God and the Holy Spirit of God unto your life.

In the midst of all your busyness, do make time to spend time with God. You’ll recover, and you’ll enjoy your relationship with God. You’ll never ever regret spending time with God. It’s the most important relationship you’ll ever have.

Take time to build it and deepen it today. God’s power, Godly rewards, spiritual fruits, effective ministry and abundant living for a prayerful life are unlimited, incredible and indescribable.

Pastor Linh