Pray Without Hindrance
read ISAIAH 59:1-2

Just as there are many things that you can do to make your prayers more effective,there are also things that you can do to make your prayers ineffective.Here are four specific obstacles to effective prayer.

1.Selfishness Or Pride
Motives are of the greatest importance.If a person comes to God with a selfish motive,that prayer will not get any higher than the ceiling.God will not answer prayers that come from a selfish motive.

2.Idolatry
Idolatry is not limited to bowing down to imagines of gold,wood,or bronze.An idol could also be defined as anything or anyone that takes the place of God in your life.It could be a person,a relationship,a career,or even a leisure activity.When you place something other than God on the throne of youe heart,your prayers will go unanswered.Ezekiel 14:3 says."Son of man,thesse leaders have set up idols in their hearts.They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin.Why should i listen to their requests?"

3.Unforgiveness
In Mark 11:25,Jesus said,"But when you praying,first forgive anyone holding a grudge against,so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins,too"If you are holding a grudge against someone,your prayer life will suffer.Bitterness can lead to destruction.If you don't let go of it, you will be sinning,and that sin will hinder your prayers.

4.Unconfessed Sin
Psalm 66:18 says,"If i had not confessed the sin in my heart,my Lord would not have listened."If you feel like your prayers are going unanswered,you may want to consider whether there is any unconfessd sin in your life.Maybe you are committing a sin right now that you do not even recognize as a sin because "everybody is doing it."

If you can identify with any of the problems listed above,confess your sins to God and turn away from them.Once that obstacle is removed,you will again see God working through your prayers.

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Jia Hui