A Biblical Theology of Prayer: A Review from Prayer’s Power Through Hindrances to Prayer

Hindrances to Answered Prayer

  1.       Unconfessed Sin

Harboring sin without repentance blocks our fellowship with God. It’s not that He’s unable to hear, but that sin breaks the relational channel through which prayer flows.  Confession and humility restore that connection.

• “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” — Psalm 66:18

• “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.” — Isaiah 59:2

Have you ever had a time when you began to pray, only to be reminded of unconfessed sin?

How often do you remember ask the Holy Spirit to forgive sins you have committed of which you are unaware?

Prayers God will hear –  Prayers of repentance  - When you turn to God with a humble, repentant heart, Scripture repeatedly says He listens.
“A broken and contrite heart… You, God, will not despise.” — Psalm 51:17

2.       Doubt or Unbelief

Prayer must be rooted in trust that God both hears and acts according to His will. Doubt doesn’t make God less powerful or less faithful, but it shows a divided heart that wavers between self-reliance and faith.  Faith isn’t a formula—it's relational trust.

• “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, [because the one who doubts is lake a wave of the sea, blown and tosses about.]… For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” — James 1:6–7

• “Without faith it is impossible to please God, [because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him.]” — Hebrews 11:6

Prayers God will hear - Not perfect faith, but genuine trust.
“Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” — Mark 11:24

3.       Wrong Motives

Selfish or worldly motives short-circuit prayer’s purpose. God answers prayers aligned with His will and character, not those driven by greed, pride, or self-exaltation.

• “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” — James 4:3

How often do your sincerely examine our motives when you pray?  Are you selfish in your prayers?

Prayers God will hear - Prayers aligned with God’s will.  Prayers that reflect His character – justice, mercy, goodness, truth.   “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” 1 John 5:14

4.       Disobedience

A life of willful disobedience tells God that you want His blessings without His Lordship. Obedience doesn’t earn answers—it demonstrates genuine relationship and submission.

• “Then they will call on Me, but I will not answer; they will seek Me diligently, but they will not find Me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord.” — Proverbs 1:28–29

Prayers God will hear – Those who are obedient and do His will.  John 9:31 “We know that God does not listen to sinners.  He listens to the godly person who does his will.”

“Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” — 1 John 3:22

5.       Unforgiveness

Have you prayed for forgiveness, while harboring unforgiveness toward someone else?   A hardened heart toward others contradicts the mercy you seek from God. Unforgiveness obstructs prayer because it violates the very nature of grace.

• “But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Is there someone in your life whom you have been unable to forgive?

Prayers God will hear –  “And when you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” — Mark 11:25

Even the Lord’s prayer models that for us.  “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” — Matthew 6:12

6.       Broken Relationships (especially in marriage)

God takes relational integrity seriously. Mistreating others—particularly within the covenant of marriage—affects the spiritual flow of prayer.

• “Husbands, dwell with your wives with understanding… that your prayers be not hindered.” — 1 Peter 3:7

• (Related)  Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift at the altar.  First go and be reconciled to them.  Then come and offer your gift.

Prayers God will hear - God responds to honesty rather than performance.
“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” — Psalm 145:18

7.       Pride and Self-Righteousness

Pride turns prayer into performance. True prayer flows from humility and dependence on God’s mercy, like the tax collector who said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

• “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” — James 4:6

• “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself…” — Luke 18:11

What are some ways you maintain humility to avoid spiritual pride?

Prayers God will hear – Prayers of the humble.  Scripture emphasizes that God is especially attentive to the lowly and humble.
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” — James 4:6

8. Lack of Compassion

Indifference toward others’ needs reveals a heart out of tune with God’s. Compassion and justice are not optional; they’re evidence of genuine fellowship with Him.

• “Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.” — Proverbs 21:13

What is your greatest barrier to demonstrating compassion for the poor, the homeless, the downtrodden, the outcast?

Prayers God will hear – Prayers of compassion for the poor and those afflicted.   “…the cry of the poor come to him; For He hears the cry of the afflicted.”  Job 34:28

Other Prayers God will hear

Persistent Prayers - Jesus specifically taught that persistence matters—not because God is reluctant, but because persistence shapes us.  Review the parable of the persistent widow — Luke 18:1–8

Prayers for Wisdom  “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to hm.” James 1:6       “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”  Proverbs 3:6

Prayer for Spiritual Growth for Self and Others.  “…. Be strengthened through His Sprit in the inner man …. Rooted and grounded in love …that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19

Prayers of Thanksgiving -  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known….”  Philippians 4:6

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16