Prayer is an adventure! It is a calculated adventure. Many people view prayer as sort of a slot machine: Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn‘t. But that’s not true. The adventure of prayer works 100% of the time.

There are, however, some obstacles to a successful life of prayer. Let’s take a look at some of the most common obstacles to successful praying.

A young man sat in a teaching session where I talked about Enemies of Answered Prayer. He listed all the enemies on paper and placed the notes in his Bible. Later he told me that every time he had a problem in prayer, he would review his notes, locate the problem, administer the proper solution, and once again his prayer life would come alive! You can do the same!

Learn the Enemies of Answered Prayer and avoid them

LACK OF WORSHIP

 This is one of the greatest obstacles to successful prayer.

John 4:23-24
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seek eth such to worship him.
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him in spirit and in truth.

 

John 9:31
Now that we know that god heareth not sinners; but if any be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

Unsuccessful prayers are usually too long on request and too short on worship.

In baseball, a home run is wasted if you don’t touch first base. Worship is the first base in the believer’s prayer life. Praise, thank and worship the father in prayer.

LACK OF HONESTY AND SINCERITY

Notice above in John 4:23-24, it says to worship God in spirit and in TRUTH. Be sure you are being totally honest with God. Don’t try to soft-color your sins. Confess them. Be totally truthful with God about everything.

The greatest pray warriors in history have been people who have taken of their masks laid themselves open in sincerity and truth before God and before people.

Sincerity and honesty both before God and man are essential to an effective, successful prayer life.

SELF-PITY

This is what I call “the poor-old-me” attitude. People with this attitude cannot receive answers to prayer because their focus is always on themselves instead of on God.

All of us have had occasional “pity parties,” but what I’m referring to is habitual self-pity. Feeling sorry for yourself usually occurs when you look at a situation from the wrong angle.

Look at every adverse situation and understand that there is another way to view it. Blessings do sometimes come in disguised packages. Don’t let the” poor-old-me” attitude rob you of power with God.

USING THE WRONG RULES

There are different rules for different types of prayer. You don’t use the same rules for petitionary prayer that you do for intercessory prayer. In sports there are different games. For example, there is basketball, baseball, football, tennis, tether ball, golf, and soccer. All of these games us a ball, but there are different rules for playing each game.

Different types of prayers use different rules and principles. Read my post Kinds of Pray for your Circumstances.

UNCONFESSED SIN

Psalm 66:18 
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me;

 

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Notice: Only confessed sin receives forgiveness. The Blood of Jesus does not cleanse excuses.

CAUSING DISCORD IN THE CHURCH

James 3:16
For where there is envying and strife, there is confusion and every evil work.

Also read 2 Timothy 2:24-26 and Proverbs 6:16-19. This person is a friend of the devil although he may not realize it.

PRAYING TO BE SEEN OF MEN

Matthew 6:5-6
When you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, enter your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

EATING TOO MUCH PRIOR TO

This will cause your mind to wander and often you will feel too tired to pray.

FEAR OF ASKING

We are sometimes afraid to ask God for things if we think our request is “too big” or “too much ” to ask. This is a trick of the devil. All through the Bible, God encourages His people to ASK.

Now read Enemies of Answered Prayer: Part 2. And don’t forget this either: You can run to first base only if you’re a member of the team. You become a member of the team by asking Jesus Christ to be your Captain!