HOW TO OVERCOME BARRIERS IN YOUR PRAYER LIFE
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“The greatest thing anyone can do for God or man is pray.” – S.D. Gordon
Are you finding your prayer time to be shallow, fruitless… or perhaps non-existent? Is your Christian walk humdrum… lacking life, passion, joy?
Prayer is a time of communing with the Most High God… a time when His Spirit speaks to our spirits. In His presence, we remember our privileged place in His kingdom. By abiding with the Almighty One in prayer, we come to be more like Him. Yet we may come up against obstacles that keep us from experiencing a sacred and rewarding communion. When our time in prayer with the Lord suffers, it manifests in our daily spiritual walk.
Let us consider various hindrances that may be preventing a fruitful prayer time with our Almighty God… and explore ways to break through these barriers that prevent us from a rich prayer life. We will gain fresh insights on prayer as we reflect upon the wise words and heavenly revelations of famous theologians, Christian literary greats and ordinary people who have lived extraordinary kingdom lives.
15 Obstacles in Prayer:
- Heavy Burdens
“The ship of prayer may sail through all temptations, doubts and fears, straight up to the throne of God; and though she may be outward bound with only griefs, groans and sighs, she will return freighted with a wealth of blessings!” – Charles Spurgeon
† Cast your burdens before God’s throne – Turn your focus from your problems to your blessings – Experience the freedom He offers as you give Him all your cares and concerns
- Lack of Motivation
“Prayer should not be regarded as a duty which must be performed, but rather as a privilege to be enjoyed, a rare delight that is always revealing some new beauty.” – E.M. Bounds
† Sit quietly in God’s presence – Be still and know that He is God – Recognize prayer as the highest of privileges – Allow Him to touch your heart with His warm, caring, comforting presence
- Lack of Time
“If you have so much business to attend to that you have no time to pray, depend upon it that you have more business on hand than God ever intended you should have.” – Dwight L. Moody
† Make time for God in your schedule – He patiently waits to hear from you – Seek the One who desires your fellowship… who longs to guide your day and your life
- Unanswered Prayers
“God does not exist to answer our prayers, but by our prayers we come to discern the mind of God.” – Oswald Chambers
† Refuse to be deterred when heaven appears closed to your prayers – Be patient, be persistent, be faithful – Seek His revelation – He will answer in His timing, in His way
- Feeling Distant from God
“When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles. When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs. When he stops praying, the devil shouts for joy.” – Corrie ten Boom
† Focus on communing with the Most High God – Bask in His peaceful, understanding presence – Listen to His words spoken lovingly to your spirit
- Feeling Self-Sufficient
“The Christian’s heart must be soaked in prayer before the true spiritual fruits begin to grow.” – A.W. Tozer
† Cherish this holy time with the One who cares so deeply for you – Humble yourself in His mighty presence – Be reminded of your dependency on your Creator
- Wandering Thoughts
“If the heart wanders or is distracted, bring it back to the point quite gently and replace it tenderly in its Master’s presence.” – St. Francis de Sales
† Focus on being in the presence of the Father in His heavenly throne room with Jesus, our Intercessor, seated at His right hand… an audience attentive to your prayers
- Self-Seeking Desires
“It is no use to ask God with factitious earnestness for A when our whole mind is in reality filled with the desire for B.” – C.S. Lewis
† Come before God without a wish list – Be open to His will and His agenda instead of your own – Remember… He longs to give His best to you
- Guilt Over Sin
“Storm the throne of grace and persevere therein, and mercy will come down.” – John Wesley
† God grants His forgiveness to any with repentant hearts – He has freed you from the guilt of your sin – He will shower you with His grace and acceptance
- An Unforgiving Spirit
“We must lay before Him what is in us, not what ought to be in us.” – C.S. Lewis
† Be real in your prayers – Give to God anyone you need to forgive – Release any unhealthy emotions – Ask that His Spirit within you soften your heart
- Fear of Bothering God
“The Lord longs to hear all of our concerns. Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden.” – Corrie Ten Boom
† Remind yourself that you are God’s treasured child – You are worthy in Christ – You are always welcome before His throne
- Lack of Faith
“Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things ‘above all that we ask or think’.” – Andrew Murray
† Believe in the God of the impossible – Ask Him to grow in you a deeper faith – Pray with expectation that He will act mightily in your life
- Lack of Reverence
“True prayer is neither a mere mental exercise nor a vocal performance. It is far deeper than that. It is a spiritual transaction with the creator of heaven and earth.” – Charles Spurgeon
† Come before God with a humble heart – Be aware of the awesomeness of His presence – Remember that all heaven bows before Him
- Fear of Praying Amiss
“Don’t worry about having the right words; worry about having the right heart. It’s not eloquence He seeks, just honesty.” – Max Lucado
† God sees your heart – Heartfelt prayers need not be eloquent – He understands your deepest cares and longings – Pray openly, truthfully, sincerely
- Unsure of Prayer’s Power
“We must begin to believe that God, in the mystery of prayer, has entrusted us with a force that can move the heavenly world, and can bring its power down to earth.” – Andrew Murray
† Remember… God is the power, you are merely the pray-er – Tap into His unlimited source of power to move the mountains in your life
