Hindrances to prayer
The basic meaning of the word translated ‘hindered’ is ‘to block the way’. Many indeed are the obstacles which bar the way between us and prayer. Alas, so often our experience attests the truth of William Cowper’s words, There are five of the most common roadblocks that we encounter on the highway to the throne of grace, and suggestions for removing them: ‘I can’t afford the time’. But prayer is important; I cannot afford not to pray. I need to make the time. Daniel handled top-level affairs of State yet made the time to pray three times every day, Dan. 6:1–3, 10. Perhaps I would accomplish more if I attempted less and spent more time praying about it. ‘I don’t honestly see a need for it’. But, my self-sufficient heart, the Lord Jesus has explicitly said, ‘without me you can do nothing’, John 15:5. Do I know better than Him? And have others no needs for which I can pray? What of Christian leaders, other saints, and non-Christian contacts? Dare I ‘cease to pray’ for such?, 1 Sam. 12:2...