The
church of Christ
Imagine a man in a hospital bed, connected to an oxygen machine. That line is his lifeline—without it, he will die. Now imagine him reaching up and turning it off on purpose. We’d assume he wanted to die or had completely lost his senses. And yet, spiritually speaking, many of us do this very thing when it comes to our lifeline with God: prayer.
Prayer is not a religious ritual—it is our soul’s connection to God. It is how we draw near to Him, how we seek His strength, confess our sins, ask for guidance, and find peace. Without prayer, we suffocate spiritually. But Scripture teaches that there are certain conditions that can hinder our prayers—cutting off that lifeline and rendering our cries unheard. Let us examine seven hindrances to prayer that every Christian must understand and guard against.
1. Strained
Relationships with Our Spouse
“...that your prayers may not be
hindered” (1 Peter 3:7)
Peter tells husbands to dwell with their wives in understanding, showing them honor. Why? Because how we treat our spouses affects our spiritual health. Discord, disrespect, or harshness in the home can obstruct our prayers. God designed marriage as a partnership in grace. When there is peace between husband and wife, there is power in prayer. But when there is strife, our prayers are interrupted. Harmony in the home matters to God.
2. Doubt
“Let not that man suppose that he
will receive anything from the
Lord...” (James 1:5–8)
Doubt is a killer of prayer. James says the doubter is like a wave—unstable, tossed about. If we’re unsure whether God will answer, our prayers lose their force. Faith must be present before the first word is uttered. Hebrews 11:6 makes this clear: “He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” God’s nature does not change (James 1:17). If we believe in His promises, we must pray in full assurance of faith.
3. Selfishness
“You ask and do not receive, because
you ask amiss...” (James 4:3)
Many prayers go unanswered because the heart behind them is greedy. There’s nothing wrong with praying for success or provision. John wrote, “I pray that you may prosper in all things...” (3 John 2). But God knows when our motives are carnal. Are we praying so we can glorify God or just indulge our flesh? Philippians 2:3–4 reminds us to consider others—not just our own desires. God honors prayers offered with humility, not selfish ambition.
4. An Unforgiving
Spirit
“If you do not forgive... neither
will your Father forgive you.”
(Matthew 6:15)
Forgiveness is not optional—it’s essential. Jesus included it in His model prayer (Matthew 6:12) and stressed that we must forgive others as we seek God’s forgiveness. If we are holding a grudge or refusing to extend grace, our own prayers are blocked. Even repeated offenses must be met with mercy if repentance is present (Luke 17:3–4). An unforgiving heart creates a wall between us and God.
5. Disobedience
“Whatever we ask we receive...
because we keep His commandments.”
(1 John 3:22)
Obedience and effective prayer go hand in hand. We cannot walk in rebellion and expect our prayers to soar. Proverbs 28:9 says if someone turns away from hearing God’s law, “even his prayer is an abomination.” Our lives must be in submission to God’s Word. When we walk in righteousness, the Lord hears our cries (Psalm 34:15). Obedience opens the line of communication with heaven.
6. Wrong Motives
“They love to pray... that they may
be seen by men.” (Matthew 6:5)
Jesus rebuked those who prayed to impress others. Long, loud, pretentious prayers may earn human praise, but they receive no reward from God. True prayer is not performance—it is communion. God sees through the mask and hears what is offered in secret (Matthew 6:6). Mark 12:40 warns against those who pray “for a pretense.” Their motives are corrupt, and their reward is already received on earth.
7. A Sinful Heart
“If I regard iniquity in my heart,
the Lord will not hear.” (Psalm
66:18)
Unrepented sin blocks our prayers. Isaiah 59:2 says plainly that sin separates us from God. It hides His face and silences our cries. But here is the hope: “Certainly God has heard me... Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer” (Psalm 66:19–20). Repentance reopens the channel. A pure heart invites God’s attention.
Conclusion: Check the Line
If your prayers have been bouncing off the ceiling, it may be time for a spiritual check-up. Are you holding bitterness? Doubting God’s power? Living in sin or treating others poorly? These are all possible reasons why your lifeline feels severed.
But the good news is this: the line can be restored. God is merciful. If you remove the hindrances—if you humble yourself, repent, and return to Him—He will hear. He will answer.
Don’t turn off the oxygen. Don’t sever the lifeline. Prayer is your connection to God. Keep it open. Keep it alive. Keep it holy.
“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16)
