This study is a continuation from our series titled "BROKEN TO BE BLESSED".  To start at the beginning, please click on "BROKEN TO BE BLESSED #1".

NOT WAITING ON GOD, GIVING UP.  Many today have tried prayer, but they soon give up on God, this is one of the main things which hinders prayer. If we do not receive an answer the first time we ask, we should pray again. And if we do not have an answer the hundredth time, we should go on praying until we do get an answer. When Daniel prayed for understanding, God sent a messenger the same day, who was hindered and arrived twenty one days later. If Daniel and given up before the messenger arrived his prayer would not have been answered.  12Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.  13But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.  Dan 10:12-13.  God wants us to always pray, and not give up on our faith which tells us that hears and  cares for us.  Luke tells us Christ taught a parable about a woman who refused to give up, so that we also would refuse to give up, but keep praying.  1And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;  2Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:  3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;  5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.  6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.  7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?  Lk 18;1-7.  Don't give up keep praying.

A lack of faith in God's love for us, and his power and faithfulness, hinders prayer. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.  Heb 11:6.  Faith helps us to accept God's plan for our lives and then ask for the wisdom to deal with it. It is not seeking what we think or want or what others who may not be in tune with God have to say; rather, we are to seek God and His Word to give us the knowledge to grow and to go through. God assures us that when we seek Him, He will respond. The key is to ask by Faith. This is the confidence in God's power?having no doubts that He is there and will help us. For if we doubt, we will not have confidence, and our struggles will toss us to the point that they drown us. What is doubt?  Doubt means, "to be undecided or skeptical about something.  It is a lack of certainty and lack of trust."  Doubt is an enemy to our faith because we are to believe with all of our hearts that God can answer our prayers.  James tells us when we pray, we must not be given to double mindedness.  But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind" James 1:6.

The Bible gives a stern warning against the pursuit of carnal things at the expense of our soul.  A young man came to Jesus with no real spiritual concern, but rather merely carnal concerns, (what he would eat, where he would live, and what he would possess).  Jesus rebuked him, saying that his main mission was not to be a divider of carnal things. 13  And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 14  And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?  15  And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Luke 12:13-21. When we pray God automatically knows whether we are sincerely praying, for his will to be done, are mainly out of carnal selfish concerns.  James warned the saints that Carnal selfishness hinders prayer.  3Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.  The NASB version says,  "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures"  James 4:3.  These carnal prayers, are the prayers which are prayed according to the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, We should examine ourselves to make sure our prayers are not motivated by selfish desires. If we find that selfishness is a factor then we should confess it and repent.  At the root of carnal selfish prayers is idolatry, what is idolatry, it is anything or anyone that we place before our relationship with God. Idolatry can be money, our ambitions, a husband or wife, a friendship, a job, etc. When we pray, we must guard our hearts against idolatry.  25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment.  31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt 6:25-33.

Pride and Arrogance (who I am what I have, what I know, my position in life, etc) hinders prayer. Receiving positive answers to our prayers, is dependant on God's mercy, we all need mercy.  A proud spirit hinders the flow of God's mercy. During the time of the law, the place where the prayers of the saints, was presented to God, was called "the mercy seat". Jesus spoke of the Pharisee and the tax-gatherer who both were praying. The Pharisee boasted about himself while the tax-gatherer asked for mercy from God. Jesus said in Luke 18:14 regarding the tax-gatherer, (the one who asked for mercy) "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other."   James shows us that pride is pushes God away from us and it hinders prayer 6But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. James 4:6. God speacifically stated that before any real healing and deliverance can take place, a person musty FIRST humble themselves, If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  2nd Chrn 7;14

Many people have trouble praying, because of their TV watching habits.  For some, their TV watching habits borders on addiction. The term "TV addiction"   may seem like a very unlikely predicament for many in our society to be in, yet when we look at what it means to be addicted, it's apparent that many today do suffer from this addiction. The number one drug of choice is Television. While chemically non-invasive, nevertheless is every bit as addicting and physiologically damaging (in some cases), as any other drug. Television provides an escape from reality (and prayer) which is very similar to that of drugs or alcohol. Real addicts do not merely pursue a pleasurable experience one time in order to function normally. They need to repeat it again and again. Something about that particular experience makes life without it less than complete. Television addicts act the same way when it comes to television.  1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  *4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  2ND Tim 3:1-4.   Many have fallen deeply and lustfully in love with the things, television pushes and promotes, which includes things such sex (outside of marriage), money and drunkenness. Television, regularly and unceasingly show and promote, vulgarity, flirting, profanity, betrayal, unfaithfulness, extramarital sex, and even sexual perversions, all in the name of entertainment.  The words of Paul best describes many who watch TV in the wrong way, "32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Rom 1:32.    

The Bible clearly tells us that willful continuation in sin, hinders God from answering our prayers. God does not answer those who cherish sin in their heart. To cherish sin in your heart means there is a sin which you love so much that you will not give it up. If we conceal our sins our prayers are not answered, but if we confess our sins in repentance we will find mercy and our prayers will be answered."  13He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." Proverbs 28:13.  While it's true that none of us who are saved are perfect, there are sins which turn God's face away so that He will not hear us.  When we blatantly sin in this way, we create a situation where (even if we are saved), God cannot, in righteousness, give heed to the cry of His own child, whom He loves! We are not left in the dark about these sins. God, in His wonderful love, has shown us in the Bible the things that grieve Him, the things that make it so He cannot answer fully our prayers. "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." - Isa. 59:1,2. "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." - I Pet. 3:12. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." - Psalm 66:18.

 HOLDING UNFORGIVENESS IN OUR HEAR--  I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.  1Tim  2:8. The forgiveness of others on our part is very critical if we are to maintain a right relationship with both God and man.  Not only this, but forgiving others is also very important for our spiritual well being.  The reason being God has linked his willingness to forgive us, to our willingness to forgive others.  Jesus said if we don't forgive others, web will not be forgiven by God, 14  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matt 6:14-15 .

HUSBAND AND WIVES AT ODDS WITH EACH OTHER-- Marriage is one of the most important human relationships. Within the marital union wives are to be in submission to their husbands, and husbands are to love and honor their wives.  A failure to do so often hinders prayers.  In some Western cultures, to expect wives to be submissive to their husbands isn't considered politically correct.  Many husbands today have gotten away from the notion of truly loving and honoring the wife.  But Peter's words are pretty straightforward.  5For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 7Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. 1ST Pet 3:5-7