19 February 1 Peter 3

Hindrances to answered prayers

1 Peter 3:7(AMP) In the same way, you husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way , as with someone physically weaker, since she is a woman. Show her honor and respect as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered or ineffective.

From today’s reading it is clear that, if we don’t treat our wives with care, respect and honour, our prayers will not be answered. Your relationship with your wife will thus determine the outcome of your prayers.

Here are other reasons why our prayers are not answered:

• Unrepentant sin can hinder our relationship with God, and therefore, our prayers.Psalm 66:18(NIV) If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;

• Doubting God's ability to answer can impede our prayers.James 1:6(NIV) But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

• Praying with selfish or wrong motives can be a barrier.James 4:3(NIV) When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

• Ignoring the needs of people in need can affect our prayers.Proverbs 21:13(NIV) Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.

• Not praying continually.Luke 18:1(NIV) Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

• Holding onto unforgiveness blocks our connection with God.Mark 11:25(NIV) And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

• Ignoring God’s will.John 9:31(NIV) We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.

I conclude that prayer is not just about getting what one asks for, but about fostering a deep and abiding relationship with God. It's a journey of trust, hope, and transformation. Remove these barriers that hinders your prayers to be answered, and see how your prayers will be answered.