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      8 Reasons Why Your Prayers Can Be Hindered (and #3 Just Might Shock You)

      8 Reasons Why Your Prayers Can Be Hindered (and #3 Just Might Shock You)

      August 3, 2026
      In 1857, during a severe financial crisis, a humble businessman named Jeremiah Lanphier began what became known as the Fulton Street Prayer Meeting in New York City. Concerned about the spiritual condition of the city, he invited a few men to gather at noon to seek God together. Only six showed up that first day. Within months, daily meetings were packed, and similar gatherings spread across the nation. Before a year had passed, more than a million Americans had come to faith in Christ in what historians now call the Revival of 1857. There was no famous preacher, no political campaign, and no grand plan—just ordinary people, meeting day after day to pray. A nation was changed because a small group started calling on the Lord. We say we want to see that kind of movement again. We ask God to bring revival to our churches, new life to our communities, and healing to our families. We quote James 5:16 (ESV): “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” We also believe James 4:2, “You do not have, because you do not ask.” Even so, many of us know the disappointment of crying out to God and seeing nothing happen. Dr. James Dobson speaks to that struggle in his book, When God Doesn’t Make Sense: “Although hundreds of Scriptures tell us that God hears and answers prayer, it is important to acknowledge what most of us have already observed – that He does not do everything we ask in the manner that we would desire. Years may pass before we see the fulfillment of His purposes. There are other occasions when He says 'no' or 'wait.' And let's be honest, there are times when He says nothing at all. Many believers become confused and wounded in those instances, and their faith begins to wobble.” Dr. Dick Eastman, longtime leader of Every Home for Christ, offers a perspective that steadies that wobble: “The essence of prayer is not how many answers you get, but how much of Me you seek, because I am your answer.” When God’s responses seem delayed, the deeper issue may not be His silence but the condition of our hearts. The Bible teaches that seeking God is powerful when we are obedient and walk closely with Him. However, the same Scriptures that promise results also warn that sin and certain attitudes can get in the way. If we want answers that truly make a difference—that touch homes, churches, and even countries—we need to look at what might be blocking the way. Through His Word, God invites us to talk with Him, but we need to remember this is a privilege, not an entitlement. None of us is perfect, but a healthy walk with the Lord requires the pursuit of honesty, humility, and obedience. Scripture points out several things that can disrupt our relationship with Him and the effectiveness of our petitions.
        1. Unconfessed Sin

      Psalm 66:18 (ESV) says, “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” When we hold on to wrongdoing instead of turning away from it, we put a barrier between ourselves and a holy Father. Sin builds a wall that affects our connection with Him.

        1. An Unforgiving Spirit

      Jesus teaches in Mark 11:25 (ESV), “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Bitterness poisons us from the inside and damages relationships. A heart that refuses to forgive others cannot fully be open and receptive to the One who has forgiven us.

        1. Pride

      James 4:6 (ESV) reminds us, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” A strong relationship with the Lord grows out of dependence on Him. When we brag on ourselves in a spirit of arrogance, we resist the very grace we need most.

        1. Selfish Motives

      James 4:3 (ESV) explains, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” If our requests are driven by personal gain, we are trying to make God part of our plans instead of shaping our desires around His perfect will. True alignment deepens our bond with Him.

        1. Doubt and Unbelief

      James 1:6–7 (ESV) warns, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting… For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.” Trust is at the center of every strong relationship. Ongoing unbelief weakens confidence in God’s character and affects our approach to Him.

        1. Ignoring God’s Word

      Proverbs 28:9 (ESV) says, “If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.” When we refuse to listen to the principles in Scripture yet expect God to listen to us, something is out of balance. A solid relationship with Him means both hearing and responding.

        1. Trouble in Marriage

      First Peter 3:7 (ESV) tells husbands to live with their wives “in an understanding way… so that your prayers may not be hindered.” The Lord cares about what happens inside our homes. Ongoing tension with your spouse—as much as it depends on you—can affect spiritual closeness with God.

        1. Indifference Toward the Needy

      Proverbs 21:13 (ESV) warns, “Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.” God has a heart full of compassion. When we ignore those who are in need and hurting, we are out of line with His priorities, and that imbalance affects our approach to Him.

      Not long ago, a young mother with no money came to the pregnancy resource center where my wife and I work. She was desperate for diapers for her newborn. Earlier that morning during staff devotions, someone had simply asked the Lord to help us meet the needs of families who might walk through our doors. We gave the woman what she asked for and thought the situation was handled. Then she quietly explained that she hoped for reusable cloth diapers because she did not want to keep asking for help. It was a thoughtful request, but our pregnancy center almost never carries cloth diapers. Yet just minutes before she arrived, someone had donated a full package for newborns. God had already provided the exact item she needed. Great movements often begin with small steps of faith. The spiritual revival of 1857 in New York started with just six men in a simple room. Jesus teaches that whoever is faithful with little will be trusted with much (Luke 16:10). When we remove what hinders our walk with God and stay faithful in everyday obedience, even simple requests can lead to something far greater than we could ever imagine. “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16, ESV). When we stay close to God and keep short accounts with Him, neither the size of the group nor the simplicity of the need limits what He can do. History has changed down through the ages because a few people prayed together, and it can change again.

      Recent Blogs

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      August 3, 2026

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      August 3, 2026

      Encouragement for the Wife of an Unbeliever

      July 27, 2026
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  • Broadcasts

      Latest Broadcast

      Transform Iran, Part 2

      Transform Iran, Part 2

      August 7, 2026
      A nation closed to the gospel is opening through unexpected doors.
      Station Finder

      Recent Broadcasts

      Transform Iran, Part 1

      August 6, 2026

      A Deeper Look at Christian Persecution

      August 5, 2026

      Changing the World Through Prayer, Part 2

      August 4, 2026
      All Broadcasts
  • Blogs

      Latest Blog

      8 Reasons Why Your Prayers Can Be Hindered (and #3 Just Might Shock You)

      8 Reasons Why Your Prayers Can Be Hindered (and #3 Just Might Shock You)

      August 3, 2026
      In 1857, during a severe financial crisis, a humble businessman named Jeremiah Lanphier began what became known as the Fulton Street Prayer Meeting in New York City. Concerned about the spiritual condition of the city, he invited a few men to gather at noon to seek God together. Only six showed up that first day. Within months, daily meetings were packed, and similar gatherings spread across the nation. Before a year had passed, more than a million Americans had come to faith in Christ in what historians now call the Revival of 1857. There was no famous preacher, no political campaign, and no grand plan—just ordinary people, meeting day after day to pray. A nation was changed because a small group started calling on the Lord. We say we want to see that kind of movement again. We ask God to bring revival to our churches, new life to our communities, and healing to our families. We quote James 5:16 (ESV): “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” We also believe James 4:2, “You do not have, because you do not ask.” Even so, many of us know the disappointment of crying out to God and seeing nothing happen. Dr. James Dobson speaks to that struggle in his book, When God Doesn’t Make Sense: “Although hundreds of Scriptures tell us that God hears and answers prayer, it is important to acknowledge what most of us have already observed – that He does not do everything we ask in the manner that we would desire. Years may pass before we see the fulfillment of His purposes. There are other occasions when He says 'no' or 'wait.' And let's be honest, there are times when He says nothing at all. Many believers become confused and wounded in those instances, and their faith begins to wobble.” Dr. Dick Eastman, longtime leader of Every Home for Christ, offers a perspective that steadies that wobble: “The essence of prayer is not how many answers you get, but how much of Me you seek, because I am your answer.” When God’s responses seem delayed, the deeper issue may not be His silence but the condition of our hearts. The Bible teaches that seeking God is powerful when we are obedient and walk closely with Him. However, the same Scriptures that promise results also warn that sin and certain attitudes can get in the way. If we want answers that truly make a difference—that touch homes, churches, and even countries—we need to look at what might be blocking the way. Through His Word, God invites us to talk with Him, but we need to remember this is a privilege, not an entitlement. None of us is perfect, but a healthy walk with the Lord requires the pursuit of honesty, humility, and obedience. Scripture points out several things that can disrupt our relationship with Him and the effectiveness of our petitions.
        1. Unconfessed Sin

      Psalm 66:18 (ESV) says, “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” When we hold on to wrongdoing instead of turning away from it, we put a barrier between ourselves and a holy Father. Sin builds a wall that affects our connection with Him.

        1. An Unforgiving Spirit

      Jesus teaches in Mark 11:25 (ESV), “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Bitterness poisons us from the inside and damages relationships. A heart that refuses to forgive others cannot fully be open and receptive to the One who has forgiven us.

        1. Pride

      James 4:6 (ESV) reminds us, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” A strong relationship with the Lord grows out of dependence on Him. When we brag on ourselves in a spirit of arrogance, we resist the very grace we need most.

        1. Selfish Motives

      James 4:3 (ESV) explains, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” If our requests are driven by personal gain, we are trying to make God part of our plans instead of shaping our desires around His perfect will. True alignment deepens our bond with Him.

        1. Doubt and Unbelief

      James 1:6–7 (ESV) warns, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting… For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.” Trust is at the center of every strong relationship. Ongoing unbelief weakens confidence in God’s character and affects our approach to Him.

        1. Ignoring God’s Word

      Proverbs 28:9 (ESV) says, “If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.” When we refuse to listen to the principles in Scripture yet expect God to listen to us, something is out of balance. A solid relationship with Him means both hearing and responding.

        1. Trouble in Marriage

      First Peter 3:7 (ESV) tells husbands to live with their wives “in an understanding way… so that your prayers may not be hindered.” The Lord cares about what happens inside our homes. Ongoing tension with your spouse—as much as it depends on you—can affect spiritual closeness with God.

        1. Indifference Toward the Needy

      Proverbs 21:13 (ESV) warns, “Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.” God has a heart full of compassion. When we ignore those who are in need and hurting, we are out of line with His priorities, and that imbalance affects our approach to Him.

      Not long ago, a young mother with no money came to the pregnancy resource center where my wife and I work. She was desperate for diapers for her newborn. Earlier that morning during staff devotions, someone had simply asked the Lord to help us meet the needs of families who might walk through our doors. We gave the woman what she asked for and thought the situation was handled. Then she quietly explained that she hoped for reusable cloth diapers because she did not want to keep asking for help. It was a thoughtful request, but our pregnancy center almost never carries cloth diapers. Yet just minutes before she arrived, someone had donated a full package for newborns. God had already provided the exact item she needed. Great movements often begin with small steps of faith. The spiritual revival of 1857 in New York started with just six men in a simple room. Jesus teaches that whoever is faithful with little will be trusted with much (Luke 16:10). When we remove what hinders our walk with God and stay faithful in everyday obedience, even simple requests can lead to something far greater than we could ever imagine. “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16, ESV). When we stay close to God and keep short accounts with Him, neither the size of the group nor the simplicity of the need limits what He can do. History has changed down through the ages because a few people prayed together, and it can change again.

      Recent Blogs

      Trials Are Nothing New

      August 3, 2026

      3 Points of Conflict in Marriage

      August 3, 2026

      Encouragement for the Wife of an Unbeliever

      July 27, 2026
      Read All Blogs
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Day: January 5, 2015

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Marital Success in the New Year

What are some of the keys to a successful marriage? On the next edition of Family Talk, Dr. James Dobson, Dr. Meg Meeker, and Ryan Dobson discuss what a successful marriage looks like.

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