Removing the Hindrances in Our Prayer Lives
By Sandra Higley
Note: This Bible study is formatted for small group open discussion. If you use this study by yourself, we suggest you journal your answers to the discussion questions. Also, please use suggested translations where indicated. Biblegateway.com is an excellent source for translations you may not have on hand.
Several years ago, during a particularly dry prayer session with the Lord, I sat in my prayer closet in what you might describe as a palpable weariness. Having passed frustration long before, I had reached the advanced stages of “weary.” Somehow the freshness I had always enjoyed with the Lord had evaporated. No matter what expectations I brought, no matter what stirring worship music I employed, no matter which inspiring passage I read first, I could not shake the spiritual malaise that had overtaken my prayer times.
Sitting there with my eyes at half-mast, I thought I detected something moving on the floor a little to the right. I had turned down the closet light’s dimmer switch, so it was difficult to be sure. But yes, there it was again. I roused myself and looked closer. There, eyeballing me with as much haughtiness as only a member of its species could muster, was—a snake!
True, I had left a window open in my garden-level apartment. True, it could have been just coincidence. But that seemingly harmless little garter snake had found its way into my prayer closet—not my bedroom, not my craft room, not my kitchen. I took it to be a symbolic wake-up call that something undesirable had worked its way into my prayer life. When I asked, the Holy Spirit showed me things that were not what they should be—and a spiritual housecleaning ensued.
Discussion Questions
On a scale of one to ten (ten being dynamic), how would you rate your prayer life? Why would you give it that rating? _______________________________
Some of us have been taught since we were young that “God always hears our prayers.” Describe how the following verses may give a different perspective on the use of the word always (2 Chron. 7:14; Ps. 66:18; Isa. 1:15; 1 John 5:14–15). _______________________________
What can you find in Song of Songs 2:14–16 that indicates our relationship with the Lord might be hindered by little things that creep into our lives? _____________________________________________________
Read Psalm 15, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you identify little foxes that may have crept into your own vineyard. _______________________________
Bill Elliff encourages us to evaluate the effectiveness of our prayer lives by taking an honest assessment. In the following verses look for at least 12 specific areas that deserve our consideration (Ps. 66:18; Prov. 28:9; Matt. 5:23–24, 6:5–8; Luke 18:1, 10–14; John 8:28–29, 38, NASB; James 4:3–4, 6, NKJV; 1 Peter 3:7). _______________________________
Based on this assessment, what specific areas can you identify in your personal life that need attention? _______________________________
Kerry Shuey tells us that “much of the Army of God is crippled, powerless, and prayerless” because of unforgiveness. Read Psalm 103:3; Matthew 5:44, 6:12–15, 18:27–35; Mark 11:25–26; Luke 23:34, and Acts 7:60. What role does forgiveness play as a weapon in a powerful, effective life of prayer? _______________________________
What other things can hinder our relationship with God (1 Sam. 15:23; Matt. 7:1–2; James 3:14–18, 4:6)? _______________________________
Rebecca Shirey reminds us that living distracted, rather than engaged, can profoundly affect our prayer lives. She cites Martha of Bethany as the classic example of a Christian life filled with busy “essentials” that can clutter our to-do lists.
Read Luke 10:38–42 and John 11:1–5. What observations can you make about Jesus’ relationship with Mary and Martha in these passages? _______________________________
Compare what Martha said to Jesus (John 11:21) with what Mary said to Him (John 11:32). _______________________________
How did Jesus respond to Martha, the distracted sister (John 11:23–25)? How did He respond to the sister who was not distracted (vv. 33–35, 43–44)? _______________________________
In these passages what parallels can you draw between moving the heart of God in prayer through our involvement versus things that distract us? Explain. __________________________
Action Steps
Is it time to de-clutter (or de-snake, as the case may be)? Rebecca Shirey lists effective prayer roadblocks. As you look at the following list, ask the Holy Spirit to help you pinpoint at least one thing you can work on this week—then make a commitment to follow through: (1) Time management, (2) No accountability, (3) Lack of a specific, dedicated, personal place to pray, (4) Unwelcome distractions, (5) Interruptions from children, (6) Disappointing delays in waiting on God, and (7) Preconceived ideas about prayer.
How will you respond? _______________________________
SANDRA HIGLEY lives in Colorado Springs, CO, and is the editor of Real Life Downloaded, a Sunday school supplement for youth published by David C Cook Ministries.
