Unanswered prayer is something that every believer encounters in some respect. But is it really unanswered – or something else? When prayers go unanswered – we must examine ourselves in the light of God’s Word. After thorough examination, we are likely to find something that is not pleasing to the Lord. The solution is to confess it, earnestly believing God for forgiveness that our prayers may be answered.
1 JOHN 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
THE FIVE HINDRANCES TO PRAYER FOUND IN SCRIPTURE:
1. An unharmonious relationship between husband and wife will hinder prayer.
1 PETER 3:1-7
3 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the Word, they also may without the Word be won by the conversation of the wives;
2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
2. Selfishness will hinder prayer.
JAMES 4:3
3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
3. An unforgiving spirit will hinder prayer. So many Christians go without answers to prayer because they have sinned against others, or have been wronged themselves, and have failed to humble themselves and seek reconciliation.
MATTHEW 5:22-24
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
4. Unbelief will hinder prayer.
JAMES 1:6-7
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
HEBREWS 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
5. Known sin in the heart will hinder prayer.
ISAIAH 59:1-2
59 Behold, the Lord‘s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.
PSALM 66:18
18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
When we pray, we must go to God in all humility – asking Him to reveal anything in our lives that is not pleasing to Him. Then judge it, confess it, calling it by name! And then – forsake it. Pray in simplicity and earnestness, believing: and then God will hear and answer.
The Vine Vigil 