Obstacles to Prayer PDF

Obstacles to Prayer  We know that while we can always pray anytime and anywhere, we too face obstacles both internal and external. Sometimes we are just plain tired or simply lazy to pray. Sometimes the cares of life has so entangled us that we loses the appetite to pray. We simply would w...

Obstacles to Prayer  We know that while we can always pray anytime and anywhere, we too face obstacles both internal and external. Sometimes we are just plain tired or simply lazy to pray. Sometimes the cares of life has so entangled us that we loses the appetite to pray. We simply would want to go on facing life on our own.  “Satan well knows that all whom he can lead to neglect prayer and the searching of the Scriptures will be overcome by his attacks. Therefore he invents every possible device to engross the mind.” The Great Controversy, p. 519  Read Proverbs 28:9. From this verse, what hinders your prayers to be effective? While there are external factors that affects our prayer life like the noisy neighbors, or your children who are restless that keeps you from having a peaceful time in prayer, the Bible made it plain that our problem mainly lies from within us. This verse in proverbs hits us to the gut. There is no sugar coating, it went plain and straight. When we turn away from hearing the law, which means a deliberate act to be disobedient to God, even our prayers become an abomination.  We know of course that we are all disobedient children of God. But there’s a difference between our former life of disobedience and our present life in Jesus. Now that we are in Jesus, our default and desire is to follow him and not the other way around.  From the following verses, what are the other things that hinders our prayer to be effective? Look closely on your list and compare your life to them. 1John 3:20-23 _______________________________ Psalm 66:18 _______________________________ James 1:6. _______________________________ Luke 11:18. _______________________________ James 4:3. _______________________________ 1John 5:14 _______________________________ As you read these passages and make a close inventory of your life, ask God to help you overcome those obstacles in your prayers.