STOP HINDERING YOUR PRAYERS
Key Scripture: Psalm 66:18–20
«“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.”
Prayer is one of the greatest privileges God has given to His children. It is not merely talking to God; prayer is fellowship, communion, alignment and partnership with God.
But sometimes, the greatest hindrance to our prayers is not the devil—it is us.
You must stop helping the hinderer to hinder your prayers!
A hindered prayer is a prayer that encounters a standing obstacle between the petitioner and the manifestation of the answer. God is willing to hear, God is able to answer, but certain things can create barriers that interfere with our prayers.
WHAT HINDRANCE AM I TO MY OWN PRAYERS?
One of the greatest questions we must ask ourselves is: “Lord, is there anything in me that is standing against my prayers?”
Sin, disobedience, unforgiveness, doubt and wrong motives can become spiritual obstacles to answered prayers.
Stop hindering your prayer with alternatives. When you pray, trust God completely. Do not pray in faith today and begin to seek alternatives tomorrow because you cannot see the answer.
Your prayer of faith in the battleground is your declaration of victory!
The fact that you cannot see the answer does not mean God is not working.
Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Faith gives you confidence about an outcome you cannot yet see. No soldier goes into battle knowing every detail of what will happen, but faith gives you a revelation that victory is possible before victory becomes visible.
Therefore, declare:
Hindrance, no longer stand!
Obstacle, no longer stand!
Every barrier against my prayers, be broken!
My faith is alive, and my prayers shall produce results!
HINDRANCES TO PRAYER
1. UNCONFESSED SIN (Proverbs 28:9)
Sin creates a barrier in our fellowship with God. We cannot deliberately hold on to sin while expecting unhindered fellowship with a holy God.
Do not hide what God is asking you to surrender. Repent, return and restore your fellowship with Him.
2. DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WORD
You cannot continually reject God’s instructions and expect to walk fully in the benefits of His promises.
Obedience is a pathway to answered prayer.
When God gives an instruction, do not negotiate with it. Do not substitute your own way for God’s way.
3. UNFORGIVENESS AND BITTERNESS (Mark 11:25)
Unforgiveness can become a heavy weight in the place of prayer.
You cannot ask God to release you while you deliberately hold another person captive in your heart.
Release them. Forgive them. Let go of the bitterness.
Forgiveness does not always mean what happened was acceptable; it means you refuse to allow the offense to become a permanent barrier in your heart.
4. DOUBT (James 1:6–8)
Faith and doubt cannot operate as equal masters.
James tells us that the person who doubts is unstable—like a wave of the sea.
When there is doubt, there is no stability to carry your answered prayers.
Stop praying one thing with your lips while believing the opposite in your heart.
Pray with confidence in the character, power and faithfulness of God.
5. WRONG MOTIVES (James 4:3)
Sometimes the issue is not that we are not praying; the issue is why we are praying.
Are you praying according to God’s will or merely asking God to satisfy your selfish desires?
Check your motives.
When the motive is right, the prayer becomes aligned with God’s purpose.
HOW TO BREAK THE SPIRIT OF HINDRANCE TO PRAYER
1. REPENTANCE
Return to God with a sincere heart. Confess your sins and receive His mercy.
2. FORGIVENESS
Release offenses. Refuse to allow bitterness to become a permanent resident in your heart.
3. RUN WITH FAITH
Stop allowing what you see to determine what you believe.
Faith does not deny the battle; faith declares that God is greater than the battle.
4. BE DRIVEN BY THE RIGHT MOTIVE
Let God’s will, His glory and His kingdom become the foundation of your requests.
5. WALK IN OBEDIENCE AND DILIGENCE
Keep praying. Keep believing. Keep obeying. Keep standing on God’s Word.
Do not abandon the place of prayer because the answer has not yet appeared.
Your delay is not a reason to quit. Your waiting season is not permission to doubt.
CONCLUSION
Child of God, stop helping the hinderer to hinder your prayers.
Search your heart.
Is there sin that needs to be confessed?
Is there an instruction you have refused to obey?
Is there someone you need to forgive?
Is doubt weakening your faith?
Are your motives aligned with God’s will?
Remove the obstacles.
Return to the place of fellowship.
Pray again.
Believe again.
Trust again.
Stand again.
Hindrance is broken!
Obstacles are removed!
Faith is rising!
Your prayer altar is receiving fresh fire!
And your testimony shall speak!
Psalm 66:19–20: God has heard the voice of your prayer, and His mercy has not been taken away from you.
Your prayers will not be wasted. Your faith will not be in vain. In the name of Jesus, AMEN!
