Hindrance to Prayer

by Gene Poore

Even when we know what prayer is, why we pray, how to pray, and what happens
when we pray, Satan-led interferences hammer on our spiritual hideaways. Those
distractions hinder successful communication with God. Three such hindrances are
fatigue, haste, and inner restlessness. However, God’s Word cures hindrances.
“[God] giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might [God]
increaseth strength. . . . They shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk,
and not faint.” (ISA 40:29-31). Thus, whenever we feel too weary to pray becomes
the exact time to ask God for strength and power to pray. Christians “Can do all
things through Christ. . . .” (PHI 4:13).
What about haste in prayer? Are we often guilty of flipping words toward
heaven to complete our Christian “duty?” Is that reaching out to God in behalf of
another? No. Only lengthy, compassionate pleading brings God’s mercy to the person
needing freedom from burdens. Scripture cautions, “Be not hasty to go out of
[God’s] sight. . . .” (ECC 8:3). This agrees with the Christian Testament command
to pray without ceasing.
What about inner restlessness? What about those times when a family member
strums our last nerve? The lack of family unity hinders prayer. Unfortunately,
home environment evokes restlessness when family members ignore scripture’s
counsel: “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husband, as it is fit in the
Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey
your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers,
provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.” (COL 3:18-21).
Thus, any hindrance to prayer becomes Satan’s neutralizing weapon. Because
Satan knows God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation, Satan uses every jot and tittle
against God’s people. Why not? If Satan quoted scripture to Jesus, tempting Jesus
to sin, why would Satan not tempt Christians weak in living God’s Word?
Through subtle ways, Satan hinders prayer. Satan knows prayer delayed
becomes prayer forgotten. Prayer forgotten becomes fruitless, and scripture warns,
“To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (JAM 4:17).
Thus, not praying could become sin. If hindrance to prayer becomes sin, sin
stands between us and God’s face and seals the door to God’s Throne Room.
Therefore, as Christians, we must defeat any hindrance to prayer by doing what
Jesus said: “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. . . .” (MAT
26:41). By watching and recognizing hindrances to prayer, we defeat fatigue,
haste, restlessness, and all hindrances through prayer itself.