Weekly Devotion – Prayer Barriers 1

‘YOU DO NOT HAVE, BECAUSE YOU DO NOT ASK…’ JAMES 4:2

when we pray, God works!

When our prayers are not answered, we want to know what is wrong with God. It is easier to blame Him than look in the mirror and say, ‘Maybe I am the problem.’ For the next few days let us look at some common prayer barriers.

Barrier 1 – prayerlessness. Be honest; how often do you decide to pray about something, add it to your prayer list, say you will pray about it, and almost do? You think about it from time to time, but you hardly pray about it at all. Why is God not answering? Because you have not prayed yet! Some of us live by the motto ‘Why pray when you can worry? Why pray when you can work yourself to death trying to get it? Why pray when you can go without?’ Get this: when we work, we work; when we pray, God works!

Barrier 2 – unconfessed sin. Listen: ‘…your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.’(Isaiah 59:2 NIV). God expects you to maintain your personal integrity, to show thoughtfulness and love toward others, and to put Him first in your life. Listen: ‘…what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.’ (Micah 6:8 NIV). Those are not suggestions – they are requirements! If you do not meet them, do not expect God to answer your prayers; you are wasting your breath unless it is a prayer of confession. First seek His forgiveness, then He will listen when you pour out your heart to Him.

This article was provided courtesy of UCB, from The Word for Today publication. Free issues of this daily devotional are available in the UK and Republic of Ireland, or from the website link below.
PO Box 255, Stoke-on-Trent,ST4 8YY.
http://www.ucb.co.uk/biblehelps