The Four Common Hinderances to Effective Prayer—and How to Overcome Them

Posted on Mar 26, 2024 Topic : Inspirational/Devotional, Women's Christian Living
Posted by : Hillary Morgan Ferrer and Julie Loos

“Can Anything Hinder My Prayers?”

That’s a loaded question. And I (Julie) guess we should start by asking “What do you mean by that?” If you mean: “Is there a certain format I must use?” then I would answer, “No.” If you mean: “Is there a wrong motive, attitude, or purpose with which I can pray?” then I would say, “Yes.” The only time hindered prayers are speciﬁcally mentioned is in 1 Peter 3:7, where husbands are commanded to live with their wives in understanding so that their prayers will not be hindered. You heard that right, ladies! A husband mistreating his wife hinders his prayers. But before we get all high and mighty, we should ask if that’s the only situation. Let’s discuss a few hindrances that I have discovered after learning about and teaching on prayer for the last 22 years.

Praying with an unrepentant heart. It goes without saying that when we pray, we want God to hear us. Unconfessed sin can hinder that communication (Psalm 66:18;Isaiah 59:2). So it’s important that we spend some time examining ourselves before we present our requests.
Not praying in Jesus’s name. This is probably one of the most misunderstood parts of prayer. Many people treat this phrase like a magic incantation that we can tack onto the end of a prayer in order to bind God to His promise (John 14:13-14). But that is not what this phrase means. What I have learned from wise prayer leaders throughout the years is that praying in Jesus’s name means praying as Jesus’s representative here on earth—with His authority, according to His nature, for His glory, to build up His kingdom, and with His purposes in mind. We can do our best to pray accordingly, but we can never fully know God’s ultimate purposes. This is why James 4:15 recommends we say, “If it is the Lord’s will.” Know His character and align yourself with it to the best of your ability. Then let God be God.
Praying in the flesh and not in the Spirit. This dovetails with praying in the name of Jesus. Are our prayers self-focused or kingdom-focused? Are we praying for our comfort and ease or our character formation? Are we seeking the wisdom and instruction of the Holy Spirit when we pray? It’s not about us but about God’s will and His glory. The Holy Spirit will help us if we ask (Romans 8:26).
Praying without intention of obedience. This really got my attention. In reading Praying God’s Heart by Alvin Vander Griend (one of my favorite authors on prayer), Alvin shows that prayer primes us for action. If we have no intention of acting on what God shows us or calls us to through prayer, why would He answer? We have a dangerous tendency to use prayer as an excuse not to do anything about it. Vander Griend encourages us to be ready to “report for duty” when we pray.

I’m always trying to grow as a prayer warrior, wondering if there is something I can do to make my prayers more eﬀective (James 5:16). That’s when I remember that God gives grace to the humble. So, as I humble myself in prayer, He will give me the grace I need. If He knows I am at my core devoted to Him, His Word, His way, and His glory, then I believe He will honor that even when we don’t “check all the boxes” in our prayers. But that does not give us an excuse to not grow in our praying life. That is ultimately the right way to pray.