Stop Hindered Prayer

Check Your Relationships

1 John 1:7 (Amplified Bible)

But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].

One area of our lives we need to particularly guard is the area of our relationships. We simply have to pay attention to the Word of God where they’re concerned.

Matthew 7:1-2 (New Living Translation)

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.

Let’s not fuss with one another and criticize one another so much that we hinder the forces that God has given us to make us successful in this world.

Say No To Strife

Strife also causes trouble in the spirit realm. It opens the door to the devil. It keeps our prayers from being answered. It even keeps our angels from moving on our behalf!

1 Peter 3:7 (Amplified Bible)

In the same way you married men should live considerately with [your wives], with an intelligent recognition [of the marriage relation], honoring the woman as [physically] the weaker, but [realizing that you] are joint heirs of the grace (God’s unmerited favor) of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered and cut off. [Otherwise you cannot pray effectively.]

Peter wrote to husbands to live considerately with their wives. Husbands and wives, parents and children, co-workers, fellow church members – all of us need to wake up to the danger of strife and start walking in love.

1 Corinthians describes the God kind of love that you and I have received when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (Amplified Bible)

Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

We have this kind of love.

Romans 5:5 (New International Version)

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Love Like God

Shed the light of God’s Word on your relationships. Dig into and get a revelation of the fact that we are all part of each other.

Ephesians 4:3-4 (GOD’S WORD Translation)

Through the peace that ties you together, do your best to maintain the unity that the Spirit gives. There is one body and one Spirit. In the same way you were called to share one hope.

Recognize that, as Ephesians tells us, we are one Body and one Spirit, and be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of that Spirit.

Romans 15:1-7 (New Living Translation)

Living to Please Others

We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, the insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me. Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.

Let the power of God flow in all of your relationships. Learn to walk in the light and see your prayers answered!