10 Things That Block Prayer From Being Answered

10 Things That Block Prayer From Being Answered

what-hinders-prayer-10-things-that-block-prayer

Without prayer, our life in Christ is nothing. The Apostle Paul instructs us, “…but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6b).

Prayer is simply communicating with God, most often by verbally speaking out requests and petitions, giving Him thanksgiving and worship, and coming to Him with confession of sin. We should pray often; and in fact, more than that: “pray without ceasing,” according to 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

Are there times when God will not listen to our prayers? Actually, yes. According to Scripture, numerous things will hinder our prayers from being answered.

I’ve outlined 10 different items below that will block our prayers to God from being answered and our requests granted.

1. Praying to God Without Going Through His Son, Jesus Christ.

There’s no other way of getting around this. You must go to God the Father through Christ. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.'” – John 14:6.

Since sin in the human heart separates us from God, we need a way to be declared righteous and blameless by God. That Way is the Lord Jesus Christ: “Having been declared righteous, then, by faith, we have peace toward God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 5:1

Salvation and reconciliation with God come through Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection, and we must personally believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord to receive it.

2. Praying While Ignoring Scripture

Proverbs 28:9 states, “if one turns away his ear from hearing the Law, even his prayer is an abomination.” God’s Word and instruction (referred to in the Old Testament books as the Law) is an absolute must to listen to and adhere to. Not doing so and blatantly ignoring the clear command of the Bible will make God equate our prayers to Him to sin!

1 John 3:22 reinforces this by saying,  “And whatever we ask we receive from Him because we keep His commandments and do those things which are pleasing in His sight.”

3. Praying to Impress Others

Don’t pray to publicly draw attention to yourself, by trying to make a spectacle and show others how religious and close to God you supposedly are.  Don’t litter your speech to our Creator with many huge, lofty-sounding words.

Instead, look to present your petitions to God in private. Use simple, clear-cut language that is sincere, honest, and comes from the heart.

This is all based on what Jesus commanded in Matthew 6:5-8: “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”

4. Praying While Mistreating Your Wife

1 Peter 3:7 directs us married men that even though our wives must submit to us, we in return need to give complete love, honor, and respect to our spouses: “You husbands, in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way…and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.”

5. Praying with Unconfessed Sin of Which You Refuse to Repent

Do you have bad, sinful habits that deep down you love and refuse to repent of? God will not listen to your prayers: “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.” – Psalm 66:18-19

6. Praying with Unforgiveness in Your Heart

We’ve all been there. Someone has done us wrong, and we’re left hurt, bitter, betrayed, broken, and/or angry.

As tough as it is, you’ve got to forgive them. Our Lord Jesus explained this further:

“Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.” – Mark 11:25-26

7. Praying While Ignoring the Poor

Showing charity to our less fortunate brothers and sisters can hinder prayer.  Proverbs 21:13 asserts, “He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered.”

8. Prayers Not Prayed

The next three are from the Book of James.

For the first one, it is ridiculously elementary: “You do not have because you do not ask.” (James 4:2)

9. Praying With Selfish or Lustful Motives

James 4:3 informs us, “you ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” Make sure you don’t ask to satisfy a lustful or selfish heart that only focuses on the pleasures of life. Instead, see that your prayers are backed up by pure motives that line up with God’s will for your life.  1 John 5:14 states, “this is the confidence we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

10. Praying With a Doubting Heart

The last bit of advice from the Apostle James is a big one: do not ask while still having unbelief. Instead, believe with bold faith that God will come through! James 1:6-8 articulates, “but he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one you doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

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44 Comments

    • DanielOdimgbe

      D article is directly to those dat have no knowledge on God’s words, they ar canal minded while praying? d message is for everyone contract me 09037526216

    • marl

      I have a question. There’s a profit by the name of Caleb he is really really jumping the gun when it’s coming down to his his wife that God showed him who she is. The woman is my friend and he’s very insecure jealous and out of fear of resentment practically honing her. He has it so terribly bad that he takes his manipulates his gift of prophecy to do what seems to be a outer body action or astral project and spy on both her and myself clearly misusing God’s gifts.and due to his insecurities buys on me even out of his anger fought me in the spirit while I was dreaming. My question is can someone use their what seems to be astral projection to block your prayers, and also block God’s confirmation . And also has anyone else had to deal with wayward pastors or prophets misusing their gifts for their own selfish ambitions especially to monitor your life

      • Brianna B

        Marl, I have heard about someone like your friend. He was able to engage in about astral projection and block prayers. There was a man who was possessed by a demon who was able to leave his body and block prayers, but when the demons were cast out, he likely lost the ability. I think you should pray for him, that he be delivered. I will share the link here…

        https://www.divinerevelations.info/how_satan_stops_our_prayers/index2.htm

        Some of the testimonies shown here are Not from God. Check them against scripture; I agree with this, partially because of my own experience, and because of Daniel 12:13, and Ephesians 6.:11-17.

      • Frederick

        Know one born of the spirit will use the gift of God for evil. Your prayer can be blocked if you automatically don’t respect the grace on men of God but they don’t block your prayers
        If you’re wrong God deals with you if you not and he prevailed by blocking your prayers then it an another spirit we talking of not God

    • DanielOdimgbe

      Preacher Scott did a Awesome and perfect article abut how ur prayer block while praying i love d message and let talk more contact me 09037526216 on God’s words remind bless Forever and be Fruit and multiply in ur jobs and at home

  3. Melinda Viergever Inman

    This is a really thorough post about prayer. Having these all together in one place gives us a broad view, which is really helpful when considering prayer. I do feel like God’s grace needs to be mixed in here with all of these. Sometimes, especially when we’re newly born again or not born again yet, but are headed that direction, or maybe when we’re in crisis like Job, or resistant like Jonah, we don’t get all the boxes for all of these items checked off. At those times, I’m thankful that the Holy Spirit is interceding on my/our behalf and that Jesus is also my/our advocate and is praying for us like he did in John 17. None of us pray perfectly, so that’s a relief to me!

  7. Alynda Long

    I agree with Melissa! I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit’s intervention on my behalf when I falter. I love the reminder that we can’t get answers to prayers we don’t even ask! Blessings!

  9. Karen Friday

    What a great post, Scott. Thanks for putting these in a list. While I knew most of the reasons that block our prayers, I don’t think I’ve ever seen them listed all together with the Scripture references. What a good resource.

  10. Edna Davidsen

    Hi Scott Roberts!

    Thank you for sharing.

    Sure, prayer is a powerful tool. It’s a way to stay connected with God.

    As you wrote in the blog post, our heavenly father knows what we will pray for before we say the prayer.

    That’s encouraging to know.

    Sincerely!
    Edna Davidsen

  12. nabagesera alice

    I really appreciate this post because it has given much impact in me really God deserves the best indeed

  13. Blessed Kate collins

    Thank you so much for these insightful teaching on prayer, the Holy spirit help me to do the will of God as I pray

  14. Cyndi

    Prayer is such a powerful weapon. Is it any wonder that Almighty God places such strict restrictions on its use? Yet at the same time encouraging His followers to practice it freely & often. I love the fact that the more we pray (commune with God) the more we get to know Him & His character. How I adore Him!! How I love talking to Him!! How I appreciate His faithfulness, His love, His mercy & grace!!!

  18. Ben

    Some of these I have to disagree with. In fact, some of these points aligne more with legalism and/or prosperity gospel. Examples.
    2) praying while ignoring scripture- The first reference point was proverbs 28:9 which talks about turning you ear from the law and then 1 john 3:22 which speaks about keeping his commandments. This is legalistic for two reasons 1) we are dead to the old testament law (see galations) and 2) 1 john 3:23 should be notes as it states the commandment to be followed. Context is crucial.
    5) unconfessed sin and refusing to repent- 1st point is that we wont ever confess every sin because we dont realize every sin we commit or even remember them. 2nd the bible also says we stumble in many ways and that often includes falling to the same sin multiple times. We know paul had a contiuous problem with coveting. Does that mean his prayers were hindered? Is that grace?
    6)Unforgiveness in your heart- well what if your praying for help to forgive. We are not God and pften we may striggle to forgive. So what if that’s what we’re praying for? Is God going to ignore that?
    8) prayers not prayed- didnt Jesus say that our needs are known before we ask? What is we dont realize our needs? What if we see the prayer as unanswered but it was and the answer was no or not yet.

    These points actually limit God invovling scrutpures out of context . They represent faith plus works and also put God in a box as a genie. What simply hinders prayers is just matters ofnyour own heart. Lets keep it simple as it really is

    • Joanne

      Yes. God always answers our prayers, yes no and not right now. Only He knows what’s best for us. Always approach God in prayer with a fervent heart be selfless not selfless. Also follow His 2 most important commandments Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
      Matthew 22:36‭-‬37‭, ‬39 KJV
      https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.22.36-39.KJV. You will not remember all of your sins but I ask the Holy Spirit please bring back any unconfessed sin to my rememberance and He does always. Cause those sins could be the ones blocking your deliverance, puropose. I pray we will all have the eyes to see and ears to hear, I pray for discernment and wisdom especially in these times. I pray Father God that we will worship You in Spirit and in Truth and that You will give us the boldness to speak the True Gospel of Jesus Christ to others that we are Your willing vessels and that we will open our mouths and You will fill it with Your Words. Let us do what is humbling and pleasing in Your Sight Oh Lord. Father I ask that Your peace we flow over the nations right now and I pray a refreshing will come upon the earth. If it is so, let it be according to thy Word may in Jesus name Amen.

      And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
      Romans 8:17‭-‬19 KJV
      https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.8.17-19.KJV

      • Is

        We have been praying as a family for certain things especially financial breakthrough, it seems we are never going to be there,It really seems difficult

    • Sarah

      Hey brother Ben. I just read your post. It’s correct in some things and not in others. First before we ever ask God for anything. We come into his presence with thanksgiving and praise. Once there, we make our request. But always we say, your will Lord. We should come to him expecting. To come boldly to Him. He tells us to do that,and yes at times we remind Him of His promises as David did. Sometimes we have to continue praying until we feel a inward release of letting go .it has happened many times to me. I am a pray warrior, there is nothing more beautiful in my walk with God than standing in the gap for others. God bless you Ben

  19. Disciple of Jesus

    Greetings Ben,

    I was reading your reply to this post, and I believe both of you are right and wrong in some aspects. Everything Scott mentioned is correct the only thing that was left out was that you can do everything that was mentioned but it can still be ignored becuase it is not God’s will!!! This is true in my expiernece which is also supported in the scriptures acts 16:7. I don’t believe Scott is talking about legalism (like people in the OT) instead the spirit of law is still valid. You can not mistreat others and expect for your answers to be answered. That being said, you prayers can STILL be answers even if you are mistreating other. But I think this post is addressing unanswered prays and some of the root causes. I hope this helps. Stay Blessed both of you.

  20. Marsha Hudson

    God bless you Scott Roberts for sharing this information.
    I truly appreciate it very much. May God continue to bless the ministry He has given to you.

  23. Ezra Cheptumo kipkulei

    Accurate information based on the scripture concerning prayers is actually one of the main thing challenging the 21st century church because people do pray with to minds
    1. Doubting mind.
    2. Doubting the presents of God.
    The servant of God talked about what inters our prayers not to answered I have learn something God bless you.

  25. Thompson

    l don’t want to be exposed in my area am working pls God am felled up baba God don’t allowed my enemies to laughing over me

  26. Sean

    Scott, if I was still a believer in prayer and God actually listening to prayers, this would be a great post. However, when I see my child struggle everyday from damage to his spinal cord from his central nervous system being attacked from his immune system as a six month old, being a wheelchair while other children run and play, and now not being able to communicate due to perhaps being on the autism spectrum (another terrible blow to my child), I doubt the existence of a loving God listening to my prayers exist (I have prayed day and night with tears in my eyes over the last 4 years). I have decided to move forward, do the best for my son without taking my sadness, frustration, and anger and placing it in God’s hands, which seems like a closed fist versus an opening hand of comfort. Best of luck in your endeavors regarding your faith and other facets of life.

    • Sue

      What you face daily as a dad is heart wrenching, Sean. Can’t ever say I would handle it better. But I prayed for you just now, that you would encounter your loving Creator so that you can teach your son about Him too. Without Christ in your heart, you won’t experience the joy of seeing your boy with a brand new amazing body in awesome Heaven in the future. Have it out with God, because He IS there, and He can take it. He has been there all along. 💙🙏🏻

  27. Edelina

    I sense jealousy in a person who acts as my friend , can being friends with jealous people hinder my prayer even if I don’t know there jealous?

  28. Uchechi

    To Seu, nothing is impossible with God. Do what you’re able to do with all joy, and watch God do what pleases Him with you and your family at large. He made all things. He have authority over all things

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