Daily Devotion

May 4, 2013

Hindrances to Prayer (2)


“You do not have, because you do not ask.” Jas 4:2 NIV

Here are two more hindrances to answered prayer: (1) Failure to pray. It’s estimated that out of the 667 prayers for specific things mentioned in the Bible, there are 454 specific answers. That means the Bible is a book of prayers—and answers. Our problem is, we spend a lot of time talking about prayer and fail to get down to the business of praying. Charles Trumbull said, “Prayer releases the energies of God.” The goal of prayer is not to overcome God’s reluctance, but to believe Him and take hold of His willingness. His Word says: “You do not have, because you do not ask.” C. E. Cowman wrote: “No praying man or woman accomplishes so much with so little expenditure of time, as when he or she is praying.” Until you learn to pray in faith and wait on God for the answer, you’ll get nowhere. (2) Failure to care. When the Israelites complained that God wasn’t answering their prayers He told them, “Stop oppressing those who work for you and treat them fairly …share your food with the hungry…Clothe those who are cold and don’t hide from [those] who need your help. If you do these things…the Lord will answer” (Isa 58:6-9 TLB). Sin and unbelief are not the only things that hinder your prayers; self-centered living will! A little girl prayed for several weeks asking God for a certain thing. Finally in frustration she said, “By the way, Lord, I’ve mentioned this to You several times before.” If that’s your situation, stop thinking about your own needs and focus on the needs of others.

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